Combination therapy

ABSTRACT

A method of treating a cognitive or neurodegenerative disease, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an anti-Abeta antibody, or an antibody fragment that binds Amyloid beta and is covalently attached to a polyethylene glycol molecule, in combination with an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/372,453, filed Aug. 9, 2016, entitled Combination Therapy, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/373,022, filed Aug. 10, 2016, entitled Combination Therapy, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/375,992, filed Aug. 17, 2016, entitled Combination Therapy, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a combination of an anti-Tau antibody with one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that sequesters amyloid beta peptide (anti-Aβ antibody), and an antibody fragment that binds amyloid beta peptide and is covalently attached to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule, as well as methods of using the same, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques and/or deposition of amyloid β (Abeta or Aβ) peptide and aberrant tau aggregation, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).

AD is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of patients worldwide. In view of the currently approved agents on the market which afford only transient, symptomatic benefits to the patient, there is a significant unmet need in the treatment of AD. AD is characterized by the generation, aggregation, and deposition of Abeta and by aberrant tau aggregation in the brain.

Antibodies that specifically target N3pGlu Abeta have been shown to lower Aβ plaque levels in vivo (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0142806). These antibodies are referred to herein as “anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibodies.” N3pGlu Abeta, also referred to as N3pGlu Aβ, N3pG, N3pE, or A beta_(p3-42), is a truncated form of the Abeta peptide found only in plaques. Although N3pGlu Abeta peptide is a minor component of the deposited Abeta in the brain, studies have demonstrated that N3pGlu Abeta peptide has aggressive aggregation properties and accumulates early in the deposition cascade.

Antibodies that specifically target, and sequester Aβ peptide have been shown to lower free Aβ and plaque levels in vivo (U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,195,761 and 8,591,894). These antibodies are referred to herein as “anti-Aβ antibodies.”

Molecules comprising an antibody fragment that specifically binds Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and do not specifically bind amyloid precursor protein (“APP”), and which are covalently attached to one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules, have been shown to lower free Aβ in vivo (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,999). These molecules are referred to herein as “PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments.”

Moreover, animal model studies have shown tau aggregates spread across neuronal synapse junctions and sequester monomeric (native or non-aggregated) tau, inducing tau aggregate formation. Neuroanatomical progression of tau aggregation and accumulation in neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD, suggests that tau fibril aggregation propagates along neuronal networks, ultimately resulting in destabilization of microtubules and ultimately localized impaired neuronal function. This suggests that even small reductions in tau aggregation and accumulation might result in a long-term significant reduction in intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), thus providing therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of AD.

A combination of an antibody which specifically binds tau aggregates and which reduces the propagation of tau aggregate formation (referred to herein as “anti-Tau antibodies”) with an antibody that binds N3pGlu Abeta is desired to provide treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Such combination will also preferably be more effective than either antibody alone. For example, treatment with such combination may allow for use of lower doses of either or both antibodies as compared to each antibody used alone, potentially leading to lower side effects (or a shorter duration of one or the other therapy) while maintaining efficacy. It is believed that targeting tau aggregates with a tau antibody will reduce the propagation of tau aggregate formation, NFT formation, and neuronal loss, and that targeting the removal of deposited forms of Abeta with an N3pGlu antibody will facilitate the phagocytic removal of pre-existing plaque deposits while at the same time reduce or prevent further deposition of Abeta by inhibiting the generation of Abeta plaques.

Also, a combination of an anti-Tau antibodies with an antibody that binds Abeta peptide is desired to provide treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Such combination will also preferably be more effective than either antibody alone. For example, treatment with such combination may allow for use of lower doses of either or both antibodies as compared to each antibody used alone, potentially leading to lower side effects (or a shorter duration of one or the other therapy) while maintaining efficacy. It is believed that targeting tau aggregates with a tau antibody will reduce the propagation of tau aggregate formation, NFT formation, and neuronal loss, and that targeting the sequestration of Aβ peptide with an anti-Aβ antibody will facilitate the clearance of Aβ peptide and prevent plaque formation.

Additionally, a combination of an anti-Tau antibodies with a molecule that binds Aβ peptide (and specifically between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and does not specifically bind APP) is desired to provide treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Such combination will also preferably be more effective than either antibody alone. For example, treatment with such combination may allow for use of lower doses of either or both molecule as compared to each molecule used alone, potentially leading to lower side effects (or a shorter duration of one or the other therapy) while maintaining efficacy. It is believed that targeting tau aggregates with an anti-tau antibody will reduce the propagation of tau aggregate formation, NFT formation, and neuronal loss, and that targeting the Aβ peptide (between residues 13-28) with a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment will be useful as a treatment of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of treating a cognitive or neurodegenerative disease, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. The present invention further provides a method of treating clinical or pre-clinical AD comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. The present invention also provides a method of treating prodromal AD (sometimes also referred to as mild cognitive impairment, or MCI), mild AD, moderate AD and/or severe AD, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment.

The present invention further provides a method of slowing cognitive decline in a patient diagnosed with pre-clinical AD or clinical AD, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. The present invention further provides a method of slowing functional decline in a patient diagnosed with pre-clinical AD or clinical AD, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. The present invention further provides a method of preventing memory loss or cognitive decline in asymptomatic patients with low levels of Aβ1-42 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or Aβ plaques in the brain, comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment.

In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of treating asymptomatic patients known to have an Alzheimer's disease-causing genetic mutation, comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. Another embodiment the present invention provides a method for the prevention of the progression of mild cognitive impairment to AD, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody; an antibody that binds Abeta peptide; and/or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment.

The present embodiments also provide an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, for use in simultaneous, separate, or sequential combination with an anti-Tau antibody, for use in therapy. The present embodiments also provide an anti-Aβ antibody, for use in simultaneous, separate, or sequential combination with an anti-Tau antibody, for use in therapy. The present embodiments also provide a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, for use in simultaneous, separate, or sequential combination with an anti-Tau antibody, for use in therapy.

The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients, in combination with a pharmaceutical composition of an anti-Tau antibody, with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients.

In addition, the invention provides a kit, comprising an anti-Tau antibody with one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. The invention further provides a kit, comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-Tau antibody with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients, and one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. As used herein, a “kit” includes separate containers of each component, wherein one component is an anti-Tau antibody, in a single package, and another component is one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, in a single package. A “kit” may also include separate containers of each component, wherein one component is an anti-Tau antibody and another component is one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, in separate packages with instructions to administer each component as a combination.

The invention further provides the use of one of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an antibody that binds Abeta peptide, and a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of AD, mild AD, prodromal AD or for the prevention of the progression of mild cognitive impairment to AD wherein the medicament is to be administered simultaneously, separately or sequentially with an anti-Tau antibody.

Anti-Tau Antibody

In an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-Tau antibody comprises a heavy chain (HC) and a light chain (LC), wherein the HC comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) and the LC comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR), said HCVR comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 and said LCVR comprising CDRs LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3. According to particular embodiments of the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 69, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 70, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 71, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 72, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 73, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 74. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that binds human tau, comprising a LCVR and a HCVR, wherein 30 the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 75 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 76. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that binds human tau, comprising a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 67 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO. 68.

The anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention may be prepared and purified using known methods. For example, cDNA sequences encoding a HC (for example the amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 68), such as the cDNA sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 77, and a LC (for example, the amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 67), such as the cDNA sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 78, may be cloned and engineered into a GS (glutamine synthetase) expression vector. The engineered immunoglobulin expression vector may then be stably transfected into CHO cells. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, mammalian expression of antibodies will result in glycosylation, typically at highly conserved N-glycosylation sites in the Fc region. Stable clones may be verified for expression of an antibody specifically binding to tau aggregates. Positive clones may be expanded into serum-free culture medium for antibody production in bioreactors. Media, into which an antibody has been secreted, may be purified by conventional techniques. For example, the medium may be conveniently applied to a Protein A or G Sepharose FF column that has been equilibrated with a compatible buffer, such as phosphate buffered saline. The column is washed to remove nonspecific binding components. The bound antibody is eluted, for example, by pH gradient and antibody fractions are detected, such as by SDS-PAGE, and then pooled. The antibody may be concentrated and/or sterile filtered using common techniques. Soluble aggregate and multimers may be effectively removed by common techniques, including size exclusion, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, or hydroxyapatite chromatography. The product may be immediately frozen, for example at −70° C., or may be lyophilized.

The anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention bind human tau. In an embodiment, the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention bind a conformational epitope of human tau. In a particular embodiment, the conformational epitope of human tau includes amino acid residues 7-9 and 312-322 of human tau, wherein the amino acid sequence of the human tau is given by SEQ ID NO. 79.

Anti-N3pGlu Abeta Antibody

In an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein said LCVR comprises LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 and HCVR comprises HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 which are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) LCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 18, LCDR3 is SEQ         ID NO. 19, HCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 20, HCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 22, and         HCDR3 is SEQ ID NO. 23;     -   b) LCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 18, LCDR3 is SEQ         ID NO. 19, HCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 21, HCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 22, and         HCDR3 is SEQ ID NO. 24;     -   c) LCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 18, LCDR3 is SEQ         ID NO. 19, HCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 36, HCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 22, and         HCDR3 is SEQ ID NO. 37;     -   d) LCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 4, LCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 6, LCDR3 is SEQ ID         NO. 7, HCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 1, HCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 2, and HCDR3         is SEQ ID NO. 3; and     -   e) LCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 4, LCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 5, LCDR3 is SEQ ID         NO. 7, HCDR1 is SEQ ID NO. 1, HCDR2 is SEQ ID NO. 2, and HCDR3         is SEQ ID NO. 3.

In other embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein said LCVR and HCVR are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 25 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 26;     -   b) LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 25 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 27;     -   c) LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 32 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 34;     -   d) LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 9 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 8; and     -   e) LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 10 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 8.

In further embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein said LC and HC are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) LC of SEQ ID NO. 28 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 29;     -   b) LC of SEQ ID NO. 28 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 30;     -   c) LC of SEQ ID NO. 33 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 35;     -   d) LC of SEQ ID NO. 12 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 11; and     -   e) LC of SEQ ID NO. 13 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 11.

In other embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises two light chains (LC) and two heavy chains (HC), wherein each LC and each HC are selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   a) LC of SEQ ID NO. 28 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 29;     -   b) LC of SEQ ID NO. 28 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 30;     -   c) LC of SEQ ID NO. 33 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 35;     -   d) LC of SEQ ID NO. 12 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 11; and     -   e) LC of SEQ ID NO. 13 and HC of SEQ ID NO. 11.

In some embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises Antibody I, which has a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) of SEQ ID NOs. 12 and 11 respectively. Antibody I further has a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) of SEQ ID NOs. 9 and 8 respectively. The HCVR of Antibody I further comprises HCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 1, HCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 2, and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 3. The LCVR of Antibody I further comprises LCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 4, LCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 6 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 7 respectively.

In some embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises Antibody II, which has a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) of SEQ ID NOs. 13 and 11 respectively. Antibody II further has a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) of SEQ ID NOs. 10 and 8 respectively. The HCVR of Antibody II further comprises HCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 1, HCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 2, and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 3. The LCVR of Antibody II further comprises LCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 4, LCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 5, and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 7 respectively.

In some embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises B12L, which has a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) of SEQ ID NOs. 28 and 29 respectively. B12L further has a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) of SEQ ID NOs. 25 and 26 respectively. The HCVR of B12L further comprises HCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 20, HCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 22 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 23. The LCVR of B12L further comprises LCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 18 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 19 respectively.

In some embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises R17L which has a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) of SEQ ID NOs. 28 and 30 respectively. R17L further has a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) of SEQ ID NOs. 25 and 27 respectively. The HCVR of R17L further comprises HCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 21, HCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 22 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 24. The LCVR of R17L further comprises LCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 18 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 19 respectively.

In some embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody comprises hE8L which has a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) of SEQ ID NOs. 33 and 35 respectively. hE8L further has a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) of in SEQ ID NOs. 32 and 34 respectively. The HCVR of hE8L further comprises HCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 36, HCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 22 and HCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 37. The LCVR of hE8L further comprises LCDR1 of SEQ ID NO. 17, LCDR2 of SEQ ID NO. 18 and LCDR3 of SEQ ID NO. 19 respectively.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and recognize that “anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody”, and the specific antibodies, “B12L” and “R17L” are identified and disclosed along with methods for making and using said antibodies by one of ordinary skill in the art, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,679,498 B2, entitled “Anti-N3pGlu Amyloid Beta Peptide Antibodies and Uses Thereof”, issued Mar. 25, 2014 (U.S. Ser. No. 13/810,895). See for example Table 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,679,498 B2. Each of these two antibodies (e.g., “B12L” and “R17L”) may be used as the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody of the present invention. In other embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody may comprise the antibody “hE8L” described herein. In further embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody may comprise “Antibody I” outlined herein. In yet further embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody may comprise “Antibody II” outlined herein.

The anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibodies of the present invention bind to N3pGlu Aβ. The sequence of N3pGlu Aβ is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 31. The sequence of Aβ is SEQ ID NO. 38.

Anti-Aβ Antibody In an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a heavy chain (HC) and a light chain (LC), wherein the HC comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) and the LC comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR), said HCVR comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3 and said LCVR comprising CDRs LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3. According to particular embodiments of the anti-Aβ antibody of the present invention, the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 39, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 40, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 41, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 42, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 43, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 44. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that binds human tau, comprising a LCVR and a HCVR, wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 45 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 46. In a more specific embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 47 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 48. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that binds human tau, comprising a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 49 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO. 50.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and recognize that anti-Aβ antibodies of the present invention are identified and disclosed along with methods for making and using said antibodies by one of ordinary skill in the art, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,761, entitled “Humanized Antibodies that Sequester ABeta Peptide,” issued Mar. 27, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,591,894, entitled “Humanized Antibodies that Sequester ABeta Peptide”, issued Nov. 26, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

PEG-Anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment

In an embodiment of the present invention, a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment that specifically binds human Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide (SEQ ID NO. 56) and does not specifically bind APP is provided. According to such embodiments, the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment comprises a heavy chain variable region (HCVR) and a light chain variable region (LCVR), wherein the LCVR comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2 and LCDR3 and the HCVR comprises CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2 and HCDR3. According to particular embodiments of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment of the present invention, the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment is a Fab and the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 58, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 59, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 60, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 61, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 62 or SEQ ID NO. 63, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 64. According to such embodiments, a PEG molecule is covalently attached to one of the HCVR or LCVR. According to particular embodiments, the PEG molecule is covalently attached to a CDR. In an even more particular embodiment, the PEG molecule that is covalently attached to a cysteine residue within the CDR, for example the cysteine residue within a HCDR2 given by SEQ ID NO. 62 of the HCVR of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. In particular embodiments, the PEG molecule is attached to the cysteine via maleimide linkage. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of between about 0.5 kD to about 30 kD. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of about 20 kD.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment that specifically binds human Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and does not specifically bind APP. In particular embodiments, the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment is a Fab comprising a LCVR and a HCVR, wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 53 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 54. According to particular embodiments, a PEG molecule is covalently attached to a cysteine residue at amino acid position 56 of said HCVR (SEQ ID NO. 54). In particular embodiments, the PEG molecule is attached to the cysteine via maleimide linkage. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of between about 0.5 kD to about 30 kD. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of about 20 kD.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment that specifically binds human Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and does not specifically bind APP. Particular embodiments comprise a Fab comprising a LCVR and a HCVR, wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 53 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 55. According to particular embodiments, a PEG molecule is covalently attached to the hinge region of the antibody fragment. In particular embodiments, the PEG molecule is covalently attached to the hinge region via a maleimide linkage. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of between about 0.5 kD to about 30 kD. In even more particular embodiments, the PEG molecule has a molecular weight of about 20 kD.

In a further particular embodiment, the present invention provides a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment that specifically binds human Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and does not specifically bind APP. According to said particular embodiments, the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment comprises a Fab comprising a LCVR having an amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 53 and a HCVR having an amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 54, wherein a PEG molecule is covalently attached to a cysteine residue at amino acid position 56 of said HCVR, the PEG molecule having a molecular weight of about 20 kD. In further particular embodiments, the PEG molecule is covalently attached to the hinge region via a maleimide linkage.

In a further particular embodiment, the present invention provides a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment that specifically binds human Aβ peptide between residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and does not specifically bind APP. Said particular embodiments comprise a Fab having a LCVR having an amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 53 and a HCVR having an amino acid sequence given by SEQ ID NO. 55, wherein a PEG molecule is covalently attached to the hinge region of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment via a maleimide linkage, the PEG molecule having a molecular weight of about 20 kD.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and recognize that PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments of the present invention are identified and disclosed along with methods for making and using said PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments by one of ordinary skill in the art, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,999, entitled “Pegylated Aβ FAB,” issued Nov. 29, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Definitions

As used herein, an “antibody” is an immunoglobulin molecule comprising two Heavy Chain (HC) and two Light Chain (LC) interconnected by disulfide bonds. The amino terminal portion of each LC and HC includes a variable region responsible for antigen recognition via the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) contained therein. The CDRs are interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions. Assignment of amino acids to CDR domains within the LCVR and HCVR regions of the antibodies of the present invention is based on the well-known numbering conventions such as the following: Kabat, et al., Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 190:382-93 (1971); Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242 (1991); and North numbering convention (North et al., A New Clustering of Antibody CDR Loop Conformations, Journal of Molecular Biology, 406:228-256 (2011)).

As used herein, the term “antibody fragment” refers to one or more fragments of an antibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen (e.g., human Aβ peptide). Examples of molecules encompassed within the term “antibody fragment” include: (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CH 1 domains; (ii) a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, and (v) a dAb fragment (Ward, et al., (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain. Furthermore, although the two domains of the Fv fragment, VL and VH, are coded for by separate genes, they can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the VL and VH regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain Fv (scFv); See, e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426: and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883). Such single chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term “antibody fragment”. Other forms of single chain antibodies, such as diabodies are also encompassed by the term “antibody fragment”. Diabodies are bivalent, bispecific binding proteins in which VH and VL domains are expressed on a single polypeptide chain, but using a linker that is too short to allow for pairing between the two domains on the same chain, thereby forcing the domains to pair with complementary domains of another chain and creating two antigen binding sites (see e.g., Holliger, P., et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448; Poljak, R. J., et al. (1994) Structure 2:1121-1123).

The PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments of the present invention are covalently attached to one or more PEG molecules. It is intended that the term “polyethylene glycol” and “PEG” be used interchangeably and refer to polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof as known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,090; 5,900,461; 5,932,462; 6,436,386; 6,448,369; 6,437,025; 6,448,369; 6,495,659; 6,515,100 and 6,514,491). Preferably, PEG is covalently attached to one or more lysine or cysteine residues of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. More preferably, PEG is covalently attached to a one or more lysine or cysteine residues in the HCVR of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. Even more preferably, PEG is covalently attached to a one or more lysine or cysteine residues within the CDR of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments. Most preferably, PEG is attached to a cysteine residue at amino acid position 56 of the HCVR of the said SEQ ID NO: 54. Alternatively, the PEG molecules may be attached to the antibody fragment via a linker or spacer molecule to the hinge region of a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment. Addition of linkers and spacer molecules to the hinge regions are well known in the art. Furthermore, a PEG molecule may be covalently attached to modified non-natural amino acids of a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment by techniques well known in the art.

In its typical form, “PEG” is a linear polymer with terminal hydroxyl groups and has the formula HO—CH₂CH₂—(CH₂CH₂O)n-CH₂CH₂—OH, where n is from about 8 to about 4000. The terminal hydrogen may be substituted with a protective group such as an alkyl or alkanol group (M-PEG). Preferably, PEG has at least one hydroxy group, more preferably it is a terminal hydroxy group. It is this hydroxy group which is preferably activated to react with the peptide. A variety of chemical modifications are used to prepare an active PEG derivative with a functional group, such as active carbonate, active ester, aldehyde, tresylate, or using PEG-propionaldehyde suitable for coupling to a given target molecule. The activated PEG derivative is then covalently linked to a reactive group on the polypeptide drug. There are many forms of PEG useful for the present invention. Numerous derivatives of PEG exist in the art and are suitable for use in the invention. The PEG molecule covalently attached to a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment of the present invention is not intended to be limited to a particular type or size. The molecular weight of the PEG molecule is preferably from about 0.5 kilodaltons (kD) to about 100 kD and more preferably from about 5 kD to about 30 kD and most preferably from about 1 kD to about 20 kD. PEG molecule may be linear or branched and the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment of the invention may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 PEG molecules attached to the peptide. It is most preferable that there be one PEG molecule attached per PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment; however, when more than one PEG molecule per PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment is present, it is preferred that there are no more than six. It is further contemplated that both ends of the PEG molecule may adapted for cross-linking two or more PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments together. Methods of attaching PEG molecules to proteins, antibodies and fragments thereof, are well known in the art.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the antibodies and antibody fragments, or the nucleic acids encoding same, may be provided in isolated form. As used herein, the term “isolated” refers to a protein, peptide, or nucleic acid that is not found in nature and which is free or substantially free from other macromolecular species found in a cellular environment. “Substantially free”, as used herein, means the protein, peptide or nucleic acid of interest comprises more than 80% (on a molar basis) of the macromolecular species present, preferably more than 90% and more preferably more than 95%. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the antibodies and/or antibody fragments, or the nucleic acids encoding same, may be provided in isolated form. As used herein, the term “isolated” refers to a protein, peptide, or nucleic acid that is not found in nature and which is free or substantially free from other macromolecular species found in a cellular environment. “Substantially free”, as used herein, means the protein, peptide or nucleic acid of interest comprises more than 80% (on a molar basis) of the macromolecular species present, preferably more than 90% and more preferably more than 95%.

Following expression and secretion of the antibodies and/or antibody fragments of the present invention, the medium is clarified to remove cells and the clarified media is purified using any of many commonly-used techniques. Purified antibodies or fragments may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions according to well-known methods for formulating proteins and antibodies for parenteral administration, particularly for subcutaneous, intrathecal, or intravenous administration. The antibodies or fragments may be lyophilized, together with appropriate pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients, and then later reconstituted with a water-based diluent prior to use. Alternatively, the antibodies may be formulated in an aqueous solution and stored prior to use. In either case, the stored form and the injected form of the pharmaceutical compositions of the antibodies will contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient or excipients, which are ingredients other than the antibodies. Whether an ingredient is pharmaceutically-acceptable depends on its effect on the safety and effectiveness or on the safety, purity, and potency of the pharmaceutical composition. If an ingredient is judged to have a sufficiently unfavorable effect on safety or effectiveness (or on safety, purity, or potency) to warrant it not being used in a composition for administration to humans, then it is not pharmaceutically-acceptable to be used in a pharmaceutical composition of the antibody or fragments.

As referred to herein, the term “disease characterized by deposition of Ap,” is a disease that is pathologically characterized by Aβ deposits in the brain or in brain vasculature. This includes diseases such as AD, Down's syndrome, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The term “disease characterized by aberrant tau aggregation,” refers to a disease characterized by propagation of at least one of tau aggregate formation, NFT formation, and neuronal loss. This includes diseases such as AD, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration, and Pick's Disease.

A clinical diagnosis, staging or progression of AD can be readily determined by the attending diagnostician or health care professional, as one skilled in the art, by using known techniques and by observing results. This generally includes some form of brain imaging (e.g., MRI, Amyloid PET), mental or cognitive assessment (e.g. Clinical Dementia Rating-summary of boxes (CDR-SB), Mini-Mental State Exam 25 (MMSE) or Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog)) or functional assessment (e.g. Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL). “Clinical Alzheimer's disease” as used herein is a diagnosed stage of AD. It includes conditions diagnosed as prodromal Alzheimer's disease, mild AD, moderate AD and severe AD. The term “pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease” is a stage that precedes clinical AD, where measurable changes in biomarkers (such as CSF Aβ42 levels or deposited brain plaque by amyloid PET) indicate the earliest signs of a patient with Alzheimer's pathology, progressing to clinical AD. This is usually before symptoms such as memory loss and confusion are noticeable.

As used herein, the terms “treating”, “to treat”, or “treatment”, includes restraining, slowing, stopping, reducing, or reversing the progression or severity of an existing symptom, disorder, condition, or disease, such as AD.

As used herein, the term “patient” refers to a human.

As used herein, the term “inhibition of production of Abeta peptide” is taken to mean decreasing of in vivo levels of A-beta peptide in a patient.

The term “prevention” means prophylactic administration of the combination of the antibodies and/or antibody fragments outlined herein to an asymptomatic patient or a patient with pre-clinical AD to prevent progression of the disease.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to the amount or dose of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, an anti-Aβ antibody or a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, and to the amount or dose of an anti-Tau antibody administered to the patient, that provides the desired effect in the patient under diagnosis or treatment. It is understood that the combination therapy of the present invention is carried out by the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, together with the anti-Tau antibody in any manner which provides effective levels of the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, and the anti-Tau antibody in the body.

An effective amount can be readily determined by the attending diagnostician, as one skilled in the art, by the use of known techniques and by observing results obtained under analogous circumstances. In determining the effective amount for a patient, a number of factors are considered by the attending diagnostician, including, but not limited to: the species of patient; its size, age, and general health; the specific disease or disorder involved; the degree of or involvement or the severity of the disease or disorder; the response of the individual patient; the particular compound administered; the mode of administration; the bioavailability characteristics of the preparation administered; the dose regimen selected; the use of concomitant medication; and other relevant circumstances. For example, an effective amount of anti-N3pGlu antibody may be determined based on achievement of significant amyloid reduction by florbetapir PET imagining (with an acceptable patient safety profile). An effective amount of anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment may be determined based on extent of modeled free plasma Aβ lowering (with an acceptable patient safety profile). Further, for example, an effective amount of anti-Tau antibody may be determined based on achievement of slowing of progression of tau NFTs by tau PET imagine (with an acceptable patient safety profile).

In addition, the antibodies or fragments are generally effective over a wide dosage range in the combination of the present invention. In some instances, dosage levels below the lower limit of the aforesaid ranges may be more than adequate, while in other cases still larger doses may be employed with acceptable adverse events, and therefore the above dosage range is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The antibodies or fragments of the present invention are preferably formulated as pharmaceutical compositions administered by any route which makes the antibodies bioavailable. The route of administration may be varied in any way, limited by the physical properties of the drugs and the convenience of the patient and the caregiver. Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions are for parenteral administration, such as intravenous or subcutaneous administration. According to particular embodiments, the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment may be administered subcutaneous and the anti-Tau antibody may be administered intravenous. In other particular embodiments, both the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, and the anti-Tau antibody, may both be administered intravenous or both be administered subcutaneous. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing same are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (D. B. Troy, Editor, 21st Edition, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2006).

As used herein, the phrase “in combination with” refers to the administration of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, with anti-Tau antibody, such as simultaneously, or sequentially in any order, or any combination thereof. The two molecules may be administered either as part of the same pharmaceutical composition or in separate pharmaceutical compositions. The anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody, anti-Aβ antibody or PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment can be administered prior to, at the same time as, or subsequent to administration of the anti-Tau antibody, or in some combination thereof.

As used herein, “BSA” refers to Bovine Serum Albumin; “EDTA” refers to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; “ee” refers to enantiomeric excess; “Ex” refers to example; “F12” refers to Ham's F12 medium; “hr” refers to hour or hours; “HRP” refers to Horseradish Peroxidase; “IC₅₀” refers to the concentration of an agent that produces 50% of the maximal inhibitory response possible for that agent; “min” refers to minute or minutes; “PBS” refers to Phosphate Buffered Saline; “PDAPP” refers to platelet derived amyloid precursor protein; “Prep” refers to preparation; “psi” refers to pounds per square inch; “R_(t)” refers to retention time; “SCX” refers to strong cation exchange chromatography; “THF” refers to tetrahydrofiran; and “TMB” refers to 3,3′,5,5′-teramethylbenzidine.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention.

Anti-Tau Antibody

Expression of Engineered Anti-Tau Antibodies

Engineered anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention can be expressed and purified essentially as follows. A glutamine synthetase (GS) expression vector containing the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO. 78 (encoding LC amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 67) and the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO. 77 (encoding HC amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 68) is used to transfect a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO) by electroporation. The expression vector encodes an SV Early (Simian Virus 40E) promoter and the gene for GS. Expression of GS allows for the biochemical synthesis of glutamine, an amino acid required by the CHO cells. Post-transfection, cells undergo bulk selection with 50 μM L-methionine sulfoximine (MSX). The inhibition of GS by MSX is utilized to increase the stringency of selection. Cells with integration of the expression vector cDNA into transcriptionally active regions of the host cell genome can be selected against CHO wild type cells, which express an endogenous level of GS. Transfected pools are plated at low density to allow for close-to-clonal outgrowth of stable expressing cells. The masterwells are screened for antibody expression and then scaled up in serum-free, suspension cultures to be used for production.

Clarified medium, into which the antibody has been secreted, is applied to a Protein A affinity column that has been equilibrated with a compatible buffer, such as phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4). The column is washed with 1M NaCl to remove nonspecific binding components. The bound anti-Tau antibodies are eluted, for example, with sodium citrate at pH (approx.) 3.5 and fractions are neutralized with 1M Tris buffer. Anti-Tau antibody fractions are detected, such as by SDS-PAGE or analytical size-exclusion, and then are pooled. Soluble aggregate and multimers may be effectively removed by common techniques, including size exclusion, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, or hydroxyapatite chromatography. The anti-Tau antibody of the present invention is concentrated and/or sterile filtered using common techniques. The purity of the anti-Tau antibody after these chromatography steps is greater than 95%. The anti-Tau antibody of the present invention may be immediately frozen at −70° C. or stored at 4° C. for several months.

Binding Kinetics and Affinity of Anti-Tau Antibody

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) assay, measured with a BIACORE® 2000 instrument (primed with HBS-EP+ running buffer (GE Healthcare, 10 mM Hepes pH7.4 20+150 mM NaCl+3 mM EDTA+0.05% surfactant P20) at 25° C.), is used to measure binding of an exemplified anti-Tau antibody (having both HCs of SEQ ID NO. 68 and both LCs of SEQ ID NO. 67) to both human monomeric (e.g., native or non-aggregate) tau and human tau aggregates (both having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 79).

Except as noted, all reagents and materials are from BIACORE® Aβ (Upsala, Sweden). A CM5 chip containing immobilized protein A (generated using standard NHS-EDC amine coupling) on all four flow cells (FC) is used to employ a capture methodology. Antibody samples are prepared at 0.5 μg/mL by dilution into running buffer. Monomeric tau and fibril tau are prepared to concentrations of 2000, 1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.63, 7.82, 3.91, 1.95, and 0 (blank) nM by dilution into running buffer. Each analysis cycle consists of: (1) capturing antibody samples on separate flow cells (FC2, FC3, and FC4); (2) injection of 250 μL (300 sec) of either monomeric tau or tau fibril aggregate over respective FC at a rate of 50 μL/min; (3) return to buffer flow for 20 mins. to monitor dissociation phase; (4) regeneration of chip surfaces with 25 μL (30 sec) injection of glycine, pH1.5; (5) equilibration of chip surfaces with a 50 μL (60 sec) injection of HBS-EP+.

Data of binding to tau aggregate is processed using standard double-referencing and fit to a 1:1 binding model using Biacore 2000 Evaluation software, version 4.1, to determine the association rate (k_(on), M⁻¹s⁻¹ units), dissociation rate (k_(off), s⁻¹ units), and R_(max) (RU units). The equilibrium dissociation constant (K_(D)) was calculated from the relationship K_(D)=k_(off)/k_(on), and is in molar units. Data of binding to monomeric tau cannot be determined accurately by SPR as described above due to rapid on- and off-rates. Therefore, K_(D) for binding to monomeric tau is obtained by using a steady state binding fit model from plotting the concentration of antigen versus the response unit. Resulting binding data is provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 SPR binding data to both human monomeric and aggregate tau. k_(on) k_(off) K_(D)* (M⁻¹s⁻¹ units) (M⁻¹s⁻¹ units) (nM) Exemplified Monomeric Not Not 235 anti-Tau Tau detectable detectable mAb Tau 4.59e4 <1e−5 <0.22 Aggregate *K_(D) results are considered relative as the results are not normalized for influence of avidity. The results provided in Table 1 demonstrate the exemplified anti-Tau antibody does possess significant binding affinity to tau aggregate and does not possess measureable binding to monomeric tau such that an affinity value can be accurately determined by Biacore analysis (due to rapid on- and off-rates).

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) is used to determine relative binding affinity of the exemplified anti-Tau antibody (having both HCs of SEQ ID NO. 68 and both LCs of SEQ ID NO. 67) to aggregate tau fibrils from AD brain homogenates. AD brain homogenates are prepared from approx. 80 g of cortex from brain of AD patients. Briefly, buffer (TBS/1 mM PMSF/1× Complete® protease inhibitor cocktail (Roche, p/n. 11 697 498 001) and phosphatase inhibitor (ThermoFischer, p/n. 78428)) is added to the AD brain tissue at about 10 ml/1 g (tissue). Tissue is homogenized using a handheld Kinematica Polytron at speed 6-7. Tissue is then further homogenized using Parr Bomb (Parr Instrument, p/n. 4653) at 1500 psi of nitrogen for 30 mins. Homogenate is spun at 28,000 g (J14 Beckman rotor) for 30 min at 4° C. Supernatant is collected, pooled and run over a 4 cm high guard column of Sepharose 400 Superflow to remove larger debris, then run over 25 ml MC1-Affigel 10 column at a flow rate of 50-60 ml per hour, in order to purify MC1-binding tau fibrils. To maximize the recovery of purification, supernatants are recycled through MC-1 column over 18-20 hours at 4° C. Guard column is removed and MC1 column is washed with TBS with at least 40 column volumes. Bound tau aggregates are then eluted with 2 column volumes of 3M KSCN, collecting in approx. 1 ml fractions. Protein concentration in each eluted fraction is checked by microtiter plate Bradford assay. Fractions containing positive protein levels are pooled, concentrated to about 2 ml using Centricon (Millipore Ultracel-30K) at 4° C., and dialyzed using a Slide-A-Lyzer cassette (10K MWCO 3-12 ml, Pierce) overnight against 1 liter TBS. The concentration of tau within the tau fibrils purified from AD brain homogenate is measured by sandwich ELISA using DA-9 capture antibody and CP27 detection antibody.

Purified tau fibrils (50 μl) in PBS are coated on wells of 96-well plates (Coastar, p/n. 3690) at a concentration corresponding to 0.7 μg/ml of total tau. Plates are incubated overnight at 4° C., then washed three times with 150 μl of PBST (PBS containing 0.05% Tween-20), blocked in 100 μl BB3 (ImmunoChemistry Technology, p/n. 643) at room temperature for at least 1 hr (usually 2 hrs). Following blocking, the blocking buffer is removed from the wells. Exemplified anti-Tau antibody (having both HCs of SEQ ID NO. 68 and both LCs of SEQ ID NO. 67) is diluted in 0.25% casein buffer to 1000 nM stock, then diluted serially 23 times with two fold dilutions. 50 μl of stock and serially diluted antibody are added to separate wells and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature, after which the plate is washed four times with 200 μl PBST per well. 50 μl of anti-human IgG-HRP antibodies (diluted at 1:4000 into 0.25% casein buffer) is added and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature, after which the plate is washed with 200 μl PBST per well 4 times. 50 μl of TMB/H₂O₂ is added and incubated at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Reaction is stopped by adding 50 μl stop solution (2N H2SO4) and colorimetric signal is measured at 450 nm. Data is input into Prism 6 (GraphPad) program and EC₅₀ values are generated using a nonlinear regression curve fit and sigmoidal dose response. Results are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 EC₅₀ Comparison of Binding to Purified AD Tau Fibrils Antibody Assayed EC₅₀ (pM) Exemplified anti-Tau mAb 6.8 As reflected in Table 2, exemplified tau monoclonal antibody of the present invention demonstrates significant affinity (as measured by EC₅₀) to purified tau fibrils.

Ex Vivo Target Engagement Studies

Binding of exemplified anti-Tau antibody (having both HCs of SEQ ID NO. 68 and both LCs of SEQ ID NO. 67) to aggregated tau derived from human brains is determined through immunohistochemistry staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) brain sections obtained from: a “normal” individual (displaying minimal tau aggregation); an AD patient (displaying severe tau aggregation and NFT formation, as well as amyloid plaque pathology); a PD patient (displaying severe tau aggregation). Staining is also performed on brain sections derived from a “control” wild type mouse that possess no human tau in order to determine background non-specific staining levels.

FFPE sections are de-paraffinized and rehydrated. Thereafter, antigen retrieval (using the Lab Vision PT module system, Thermo Scientific) is performed on the sections which includes heating sections in citrate buffer (Thermo Scientific, p/n. TA-250-PM1X) for 20 minutes at 100° C. then cooling the sections in dH20. Sections are then exposed to the following seven incubation steps (at room temp.): (1) 10 min. in 0.03% H2O2; (2) 30 min. in 1:20 dilution of normal goat serum (Vector Labs., p/n. S-1000) diluted in PBST; (3) 60 min. in exemplified anti-Tau antibody (normalized to 1 mg/ml, then diluted in PBST to a dilution of 1:4000 before incubation with sections); (4) 30 min. in rabbit anti-human IgG4 (raised against the Fc region of the exemplified antibody) at a concentration of 1.1 μg/ml in PBST; (5) 30 min. in 1:200 dilution of biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG (Vector Labs., p/n. BA-1000) diluted in PBST: (6) 30 min. in avidin-biotin complex solution (Vector Labs., p/n. PK-7100); (7) 5 min. in 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (Vector Labs., p/n. SK-4105). Sections are washed between each of the above 7 steps using PBST. Following the seven incubation steps above, sections are counterstained with haematoxylin, dehydrated and cover-slipped. For mouse “control” tissue sections the above protocol is modified in incubation step (3) by using a 1:8000 dilution (as opposed to a 1:4000 dilution) of exemplified anti-Tau antibody; and by replacing incubation steps (4) and (5) with a single 30 min. 1:200 dilution of biotinylated goat anti-human IgG (Vector Labs. p/n. BA-3000) in PBST.

Following procedures substantially as described above, an analysis of the binding of the exemplified anti-Tau antibody to tau derived from human brains is performed. Results are provided in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Semi-quantitative analysis of binding to aggregated tau in FFPE AD brain sections. Severity of aggregated tau detected as measured by semi quantitative scoring scheme (severe, +++; moderate, ++; mild, +; negative, −) WT control Normal control Alzheimer's Pick's (murine) (human) disease disease Exemplified anti- − + +++ +++ Tau mAb

The results provided in Table 3 reflect that exemplified anti-Tau antibody demonstrates significantly higher levels of staining to aggregated tau, from both AD and PD patients, in hippocampal brain sections as compared to the control sample Further, because AD and PD are characterized by distinct splicing variants of the gene encoding tau, these results support a conclusion that exemplified anti-Tau antibody specifically binds the conformational epitope comprising amino acid residues 7-9 and 312-322 of human tau (residue numbering based on the exemplified human tau of SEQ ID NO. 79) common to tau aggregates of both AD and PD.

In Vivo Neutralization of Tau Aggregate Propagation

Homogenate brain stem preps from approx. 5 month old P301S mice are known to, upon injection into hippocampus of normal 10 week old female P301S mice, induce aggregation of native, non-aggregate tau, demonstrating a propagation-like effect of tau aggregation. Homogenate preps of brain stem tissue from 4.5 to 5 month old P301S mice are prepared substantially the same as described above.

Normal 10 week old female P301S mice are injected in the left hemisphere of the hippocampus with 5 μl homogenate brain prep and either: 7.5 μg exemplified anti-Tau antibody (having both HCs of SEQ ID NO. 68 and both LCs of SEQ ID NO. 67) (N=12); or 7.5 μg of control human IgG4 antibody (N=11). Four weeks post-injection, the mice are sacrificed and the left and right hemispheres are collected, paraffin embedded, and 6 μm serial sections are mounted on glass slides. Slides containing bregma (A-P=−2.30) are de-paraffinized, embedded tissue is rehydrated, and antigen retrieval is performed by heating slide to 100° C. for 20 min. in citrate buffer. Slides are cooled in dH₂O and incubated at room temperature according to the following steps: (a) 10 min. in (0.03%) H2O2; (b) 30 min. in a 1:20 dilution of normal goat serum; (c) 60 min. in a 1:8000 dilution of PG-5 antibody (diluted in PBSTXPG-5 antibody obtained from the lab of Dr. Peter Davies, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; PG-5 antibody specifically binds serine at residue 409 of tau when phosphorylated, residue numbering based on the exemplified human tau of SEQ ID NO. 79); (d) 30 min. in a 1:200 dilution of biotinylated goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (diluted in PBST); (e) 30 min. in avidin-biotin complex solution; and (f) 5 min. in 3,3′-diaminobenzidine. PBST is used for washing between the respective steps. Following the 5 min. incubation in 3,3′-diaminobenzidine, sections are counterstained with haematoxylin, then rehydrated and cover-slipped. Staining signal is measured by Scanscope AT Slide Scanner (Aperio) at 20× magnification. PG-5 immunoreactivity is quantified and expressed as a percentage using the positive pixel algorithm of Imagescope Software (v. 11.1.2.780, Aperio). Results are provided in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Mean % PG-5 immunoreactivity in left and right hippocampus, respectively. (% PG-5 Immunoreactivity) Left Hippocampus Right Hippocampus Exemplified anti- 2.52 ± 0.49 SEM 0.63 ± 0.13 SEM Tau mAb Control IgG4 Ab 6.38 ± 0.93 SEM 1.88 ± 0.31 SEM The results provided in Table 4 demonstrate the exemplified anti-Tau antibody reduces the level of tau aggregation in both the left and right hippocampus as compared to the control IgG4 antibody. As shown, the exemplified anti-Tau antibody produces a 60.5% greater reduction in tau aggregation in the left hippocampus, and a 66.5% greater reduction in tau aggregation in the right hippocampus, respectively, compared to control IgG4 antibody. These results demonstrate the exemplified anti-Tau antibody possesses neutralizing activity against propagation of tau aggregation.

Anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibody

Expression and Purification of Engineered anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibodies

Anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies (for example, Antibody I or II) of the present invention can be expressed and purified essentially as follows. A glutamine synthetase (GS) expression vector containing the DNA sequence encoding the LC amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12 or 13 and the DNA sequence encoding the HC amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 is used to transfect a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO) by electroporation. The expression vector encodes an SV Early (Simian Virus 40E) promoter and the gene for GS. Post-transfection, cells undergo bulk selection with 0-50 μM L-methionine sulfoximine (MSX). Selected bulk cells or master wells are then scaled up in serum-free, suspension cultures to be used for production.

Clarified medium, into which the antibody has been secreted, is applied to a Protein A affinity column that has been equilibrated with a compatible buffer, such as phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4). The column is washed with 1 M NaCl to remove nonspecific binding components. The bound anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody is eluted, for example, with sodium citrate at pH (approx.) 3.5 and fractions are neutralized with 1 M Tris buffer. Anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody fractions are detected, such as by SDS-PAGE or analytical size-exclusion, and then are pooled. Anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody (Antibody I or Antibody II) of the present invention is concentrated in either PBS buffer at pH 7.4 or 10 mM NaCitrate buffer, 150 mM NaCl at pH around 6. The final material can be sterile filtered using common techniques. The purity of the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody is greater than 95%. The anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody (Antibody I or Antibody II) of the present invention may be immediately frozen at −70° C. or stored at 4° C. for several months.

Binding Affinity and Kinetics of Anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibodies

The binding affinity and kinetics of an anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody (Antibody I or Antibody II) to pE3-42 Aβ peptide or to Aβ 1-40 peptide is measured by surface plasmon resonance using BIACORE® 3000 (GE Healthcare). The binding affinity is measured by capturing the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody via immobilized protein A on a BIACORE® CMS chip, and flowing pE3-42 Aβ peptide or Aβ 1-40 peptide, starting from 100 nM in 2-fold serial dilution down to 3.125 nM. The experiments are carried out at 25° C. in HBS-EP buffer (GE Healthcare BR100669; 10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% surfactant P20, pH 7.4).

For each cycle, the antibody is captured with 5 μL injection of antibody solution at a 10 μg/mL concentration with 10 μL/min. flow rate. The peptide is bound with 250 μL injection at 50 μL/min, and then dissociated for 10 minutes. The chip surface is regenerated with 5 μL injection of glycine buffer at pH 1.5 at 10 μL/mL flow rate. The data is fit to a 1:1 Langmiur binding model to derive k_(on), k_(off), and to calculate K_(D). Following procedures essentially as described above, the following parameters (shown in Table 5) were observed.

TABLE 5 Binding affinity and kinetics of anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibodies. k_(on) k_(off) K_(D) Antibody (×10⁵1/MS) (×10⁻⁴1/s) (nM) I 1.39 1.31 0.71 II 3.63 1.28 0.35 No appreciable binding to Aβ 1-40 was detected, indicating that Antibody I and Antibody II bound specifically to pE3-42 Aβ peptide as compared to Aβ 1-40.

Ex Vivo Target Engagement of anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibodies

To determine ex vivo target engagement on brain sections from a fixed PDAPP brain, immunohistochemical analysis is performed with an exogenously added anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibody (Antibody I or Antibody II). Cryostat serial coronal sections from aged PDAPP mice (25-month old) are incubated with 20 μg/mL of an exemplified N3pGlu Aβ antibody of the present invention (Antibody I or Antibody II). Secondary HRP reagents specific for human IgG are employed and the deposited plaques are visualized with DAB-Plus (DAKO). Biotinylated murine 3D6 antibody followed by Step-HRP secondary is used as a positive control. The positive control antibody (biotinylated 3D6) labeled significant quantities of deposited Aβ in the PDAPP hippocampus, and the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies (Antibody I or Antibody II) labeled a subset of deposits. These histological studies demonstrated that the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies (Antibody I and Antibody II) engaged deposited Aβ target ex vivo.

Anti-Aβ Antibody

Synthesis of Exemplified Anti-Aβ Antibody

Cells and antibodies. Mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0 was obtained from ATCC (Manassas, Va.) and maintained in DME medium containing 10% FBS (Cat #SH32661.03, HyClone, Logan, Utah) in a 37° C. CO₂ incubator. Mouse 266 hybridoma cells were first grown in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% FBS (HyClone), 10 mM HEPES, 2 mM glutamine, 0.1 mM non-essential amino acids, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 25 μg/ml gentamicin, and then expanded in serum-free media (Hybridoma SFM, Cat #12045-076, Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.) containing 2% low Ig FBS (Cat #30151.03, HyClone) to a 2.5 liter volume in roller bottles. Mouse monoclonal antibody 266 (Mu266) was purified from the culture supernatant by affinity chromatography using a protein-G Sepharose column. Biotinylated Mu266 was prepared using EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-LC-LC-Biotin (Cat #21338ZZ, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.).

Cloning of variable region cDNAs. Total RNA was extracted from approximately 107 hybridoma cells using TRIzol reagent (Life Technologies) and poly(A)⁺ RNA was isolated with the PolyATract mRNA Isolation System (Promega, Madison, Wis.) according to the suppliers' protocols. Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized using the SMART™ RACE cDNA Amplification Kit (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) following the supplier's protocol. The variable region cDNAs for the light and heavy chains were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 3′ primers that anneal respectively to the mouse kappa and gamma chain constant regions, and a 5′ universal primer provided in the SMART™ RACE cDNA Amplification Kit. For VL PCR, the 3′ primer has the sequence:

[SEQ ID NO: 51] 5′-TATAGAGCTCAAGCTTGGATGGTGGGAAGATGGATACAGTTGGTGC-3′ with residues 17-46 hybridizing to the mouse Ck region. For VH PCR, the 3′ primers have the degenerate sequences: [SEQ ID NO: 52]                                 A       G     T 5′-TATAGAGCTCAAGCTTCCACTGGATAGACCGATGGGGCTGTCGTTTTGGC-3′                                 T with residues 17-50 hybridizing to mouse gamma chain CHI. The VL and VH cDNAs were subcloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) for sequence determination. DNA sequencing was carried out by PCR cycle sequencing reactions with fluorescent dideoxy chain terminators (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's instruction. The sequencing reactions were analyzed on a Model 377 DNA Sequencer (Applied Biosystems).

Construction of humanized 266 (Hu266) variable regions. Humanization of the mouse antibody V regions was carried out as outlined by Queen et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:10029-10033 (1988)]. The human V region framework used as an acceptor for Mu266 CDRs was chosen based on sequence homology. The computer programs ABMOD and ENCAD [Levitt, M., J. Mol. Biol. 168:595-620 (1983)] were used to construct a molecular model of the variable regions. Amino acids in the humanized V regions that were predicted to have contact with CDRs were substituted with the corresponding residues of Mu266. This was done at residues 46, 47, 49, and 98 in the heavy chain and at residue 51 in the light chain. The amino acids in the humanized V region that were found to be rare in the same V-region subgroup were changed to the consensus amino acids to eliminate potential immunogenicity. This was done at residues 42 and 44 in the light chain.

The light and heavy chain variable region genes were constructed and amplified using eight overlapping synthetic oligonucleotides ranging in length from approximately 65 to 80 bases [He, X. Y., et al., J. Immunol. 160: 029-1035 (1998)]. The oligonucleotides were annealed pairwise and extended with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I, yielding four double-stranded fragments. The resulting fragments were denatured, annealed pairwise, and extended with Klenow, yielding two fragments. These fragments were denatured, annealed pairwise, and extended once again, yielding a full-length gene. The resulting product was amplified by PCR using the Expand High Fidelity PCR System (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind.). The PCR-amplified fragments were gel-purified and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO vector. After sequence confirmation, the VL and VH genes were digested with MluI and XbaI, gel-purified, and subcloned respectively into vectors for expression of light and heavy chains to make pVk-Hu266 and pVg1-Hu266 [Co, M. S., et al., J. Immunol. 148:1149-1154 (1992)]. The mature humanized 266 antibody (Hu266) expressed from these plasmids has the light chain of SEQ ID NO:49 and the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:50.

Stable transfection. Stable transfection into mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0 was accomplished by electroporation using a Gene Pulser apparatus (BioRad, Hercules, Calif.) at 360 V and 25 μF as described (Co et al., 1992). Before transfection, pVk-Hu266 and pVg1-Hu266 plasmid DNAs were linearized using FspI. Approximately 10⁷ Sp2/0 cells were transfected with 20 g of pVk-Hu266 and 40 μg of pVg1-Hu266. The transfected cells were suspended in DME medium containing 10% FBS and plated into several 96-well plates. After 48 hr, selection media (DME medium containing 10% FBS, HT media supplement, 0.3 mg/ml xanthine and 1 μg/ml mycophenolic acid) was applied. Approximately 10 days after the initiation of the selection, culture supernatants were assayed for antibody production by ELISA as shown below. High yielding clones were expanded in DME medium containing 10% FBS and further analyzed for antibody expression. Selected clones were then adapted to growth in Hybridoma SFM.

Measurement of antibody expression by ELISA. Wells of a 96-well ELISA plate (Nunc-Immuno plate, Cat #439454, NalgeNunc, Naperville, Ill.) were coated with 100 W of 1 μg/ml goat anti-human IgG, Fey fragment specific, polyclonal antibodies (Cat #109-005-098, Jackson ImmunoResearch, West Grove, Pa.) in 0.2 M sodium carbonate-bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.4) overnight at 4° C. After washing with Washing Buffer (PBS containing 0.1% Tween 20), wells were blocked with 400 W of Superblock Blocking Buffer (Cat #37535, Pierce) for 30 min and then washed with Washing Buffer. Samples containing Hu266 were appropriately diluted in ELISA Buffer (PBS containing 1% BSA and 0.1% Tween 20) and applied to ELISA plates (100 μl per well). As a standard, humanized anti-CD33 IgG1 monoclonal antibody HuM195 (Co, et al., 1992, above) was used. The ELISA plate was incubated for 2 hr at room temperature and the wells were washed with Wash Buffer. Then, 100 μl of 1/1,000-diluted HRP-conjugated goat antihuman kappa polyclonal antibodies (Cat #1050-05, Southern Biotechnology, Birmingham, Ala.) in ELISA Buffer was applied to each well. After incubating for 1 hr at room temperature and washing with Wash Buffer, 100 μl of ABTS substrate (Cat #s 507602 and 506502, Kirkegaard and Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, Md.) was added to each well. Color development was stopped by adding 100 μl of 2% oxalic acid per well. Absorbance was read at 415 nm using an OPTImax microplate reader (Molecular Devices, Menlo Park, Calif.).

Purification of Hu266. One of the high Hu266-expressing Sp2/0 stable transfectants (clone 1D9) was adapted to growth in Hybridoma SFM and expanded to 2 liter in roller bottles. Spent culture supernatant was harvested when cell viability reached 10% or below and loaded onto a protein-A Sepharose column. The column was washed with PBS before the antibody was eluted with 0.1 M glycine-HCl (pH 2.5), 0.1 M NaCl. The eluted protein was dialyzed against 3 changes of 2 liter PBS and filtered through a 0.2 μm filter prior to storage at 4° C. Antibody concentration was determined by measuring absorbance at 280 nm (1 mg/ml=1.4 A₂₈₀). SDS-PAGE in Tris-glycine buffer was performed according to standard procedures on a 4-20% gradient gel (Cat #EC6025, Novex, San Diego, Calif.). Purified humanized 266 antibody is reduced and run on an SDSPAGE gel. The whole antibody shows two bands of approximate molecular weights 25 kDa and 50 kDa. These results are consistent with the molecular weights of the light chain and heavy chain or heavy chain fragment calculated from their amino acid compositions.

In Vitro Binding Properties of Exemplified Anti-Aβ Antibody

The binding efficacy of humanized 266 antibody (Hu266), synthesized and purified as described above, was compared with the mouse 266 antibody (Mu266) using biotinylated mouse 266 antibody in a comparative ELISA. Wells of a 96-well ELISA plate (Nunc-immuno plate, Cat #439454, NalgeNunc) were coated with 100 μl of β-amyloid peptide (1-42) conjugated to BSA in 0.2 M sodium carbonate/bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.4) (10 μg/mL) overnight at 4° C. The Aβ142-BSA conjugate was prepared by dissolving 7.5 mg of Aβ₁₋₄₂-Cys₄₃ (C-terminal cysteine Aβ₁₋₄₂, AnaSpec) in 500 μL of dimethylsulfoxide, and then immediately adding 1,500 μL of distilled water. Two (2) milligrams of maleimide-activated bovine serum albumin (Pierce) was dissolved in 200 μL of distilled water. The two solutions were combined, thoroughly mixed, and allowed to stand at room temperature for two (2) hours. A gel chromatography column was used to separate unreacted peptide from Aβ₁₋₄₂-Cys-BSA conjugate.

After washing the wells with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.1% Tween 20 (Washing Buffer) using an ELISA plate washer, the wells were blocked by adding 300 μL of SuperBlock reagent (Pierce) per well. After 30 minutes of blocking, the wells were washed Washing Buffer and excess liquid was removed.

A mixture of biotinylated Mu266 (0.3 μg/ml final concentration) and competitor antibody (Mu266 or Hu266; starting at 750 μg/ml final concentration and serial 3-fold dilutions) in ELISA Buffer were added in triplicate in a final volume of 100 μl per well. As a no-competitor control, 100 μl of 0.3 μg/ml biotinylated Mu266 was added. As a background control, 100 μl of ELISA Buffer was added. The ELISA plate was incubated at room temperature for 90 min. After washing the wells with Washing Buffer, 100 μl of 1 μg/ml HRP-conjugated streptavidin (Cat #21124, Pierce) was added to each well. The plate was incubated at room temperature for 30 min and washed with Washing Buffer. For color development, 100 μl/well of ABTS Peroxidase Substrate (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories) was added. Color development was stopped by adding 100 μl/well of 2% oxalic acid. Absorbance was read at 415 nm. The absorbances were plotted against the log of the competitor concentration, curves were fit to the data points (using Prism) and the IC50 was determined for each antibody using methods well-known in the art.

The mean IC50 for mouse 266 was 4.7 μg/mL (three separate experiments, standard deviation=1.3 μg/mL) and for humanized 266 was 7.5 μg/mL (three separate experiments, standard deviation=1.1 μg/mL). A second set of three experiments were carried out, essentially as described above, and the mean IC50 for mouse 266 was determined to be 3.87 μg/mL (SD=0.12 μg/mL) and for human 266, the IC50 was determined to be 4.0 μg/mL (SD=0.5 μg/mL). On the basis of these results, we conclude that humanized 266 has binding properties that are very similar to those of the mouse antibody 266. Therefore, we expect that humanized 266 has very similar in vitro and in vivo activities compared with mouse 266 and will exhibit in humans the same effects demonstrated with mouse 266 in mice.

The affinity (K_(D)=Kd/Ka) of humanized 266 antibody, synthesized and purified as described above, for Aβ₁₋₄₂ was determined essentially as described above. Using the above-described method, the affinity of humanized 266 for Aβ₁₋₄₂ was found to be 4 pM.

Sequestration of Added Aβ Peptide in Human Fluids

Samples of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (50 μl) and human plasma (50 μl) were incubated for 1 hour at room temperature as follows:

1. alone;

2. along with 5 ng Aβ 40 peptide; or

3. 5 ng Aβ 40 peptide plus 1 mg monoclonal antibody 266 (described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,846 incorporated herein by reference).

The samples were then electrophoresed on a 4-25% non-denaturing gradient gel, i.e., non-denaturing gradient electrophoresis (NDGGE) and transferred to nitrocellulose. The blots were then stained with Ponceau S or, for Western blot, probed with biotin-labeled monoclonal antibody (3D6) which is directed against the first five amino acids of Aβ peptide, developed with streptavidin-horse radish peroxidase and detected by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). The hydrated diameters of the materials contained in bands on the blots were estimated using Pharmacia molecular weight markers. Thus, if the Aβ peptide is bound to other molecules, it would run at the size of the resulting complex.

Western blots of CSF either with or without 5 ng Aβ peptide shows no evidence of the Aβ peptide in response to detection mediated by antibody 3D6. Similar results are obtained for human plasma. This was true despite the fact that Aβ peptide could be detected by SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot using the same technique and on the same CSF samples. Presumably, the detection of Aβ peptide was prevented by interactions between this peptide and other factors in the fluids tested. However, when Mab 266 is added to the incubation, characteristic bands representing sequestered Aβ peptide complexed to the antibody are present both in plasma and in CSF. The major band is at approximately 11 nm hydrated diameter, corresponding to antibody monomer with an additional smaller band at 13 nm corresponding to antibody dimer.

Specificity of the Sequestering Antibody

Samples containing 50 μl of human CSF or 10 μl of APP^(V717F) CSF were used. APP^(V717F) are transgenic mice representing a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease in which the human amyloid precursor protein transgene with a familial Alzheimer's disease mutation is expressed and results in the production of human Aβ peptide in the central nervous system.

The samples were incubated with or without various Mabs (1 μg) for 1 hour at room temperature and then electrophoresed on a 4-25% NDGGE and blotted onto nitrocellulose as described above (Sequestration of Added Aβ Peptide in Human Fluids). The antibodies were as follows:

Mab 266 (binds to positions 13-28);

Mab 4G8 (binds to positions 17-24);

QCBpan (rabbit polyclonal for positions 1-40);

mouse IgG (non-specific);

Mab 3D6 (binds to positions 1-5);

Mab 21F12 (binds to positions 33-42):

Mab 6E10 (binds to positions 1-17); and

QCB_(40,42) (rabbit polyclonals to Aβ₄₀ and Aβ₄₂).

Detection of the Aβ peptide antibody complex was as described above (in Sequestration of Added Aβ Peptide in Human Fluids). Similar detection in human CSF incubated with Mab 266, in some instances substituted QCB_(40,42), which binds to the carboxyl terminus of Aβ peptide, for 3D6.

The results showed that of the antibodies tested, only Mab 4G8 and Mab 266 permitted the detection of Aβ peptide.

The results showed that for human CSF, only Mab 266 and Mab 4G8 were able to sequester in detectable amounts of an antibody Aβ complex (again, without any antibody, no Aβ is detected). Mab 266 was also able to produce similar results to those obtained with human CSF with CSF from APP^(V77F) transgenic mice. Aβ peptide could be sequestered in human CSF using Mab 266 regardless of whether 3D6 or QCB_(40,42) antibody was used to develop the Western blot.

Sequestration of Aβ Peptide In Vivo

A. Transgenic APP^(V717F) mice, also termed PDAPP mice, over-express a mutant form of human APP protein. These mice produce human Aβ in the CNS and have elevated levels of human Aβ peptide circulating in the CSF and plasma. Eight month old mice were injected intravenously with saline or 100 μg of Mab 266. They were bled 10 minutes after initial injection and again at 20 hours after initial injection.

Samples containing 20 μl of plasma from each animal were analyzed by NDGGE and Western blot with antibody 3D6 as described above (Sequestration of Added Aβ Peptide in Human Fluids). The saline injected animals did not show the presence of the characteristic 11 nm sequestered Aβ peptide band either after 10 minutes or 20 hours. However, the two animals that were injected with Mab 266 did show the appearance of this band after 20 hours.

B. Two month old APP^(V717F) mice were used in this study. At day zero, the mice received either no Mab 266, 1 mg Mab 266, or 100 μg of this antibody. Plasma samples were taken two days prior to administration of the antibodies and on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. The plasma samples were subjected to NDGGE followed by Western blotting and detection with 3D6 as described above (Sequestration of Added Aβ Peptide in Human Fluids). At all-time points following administration of Mab 266, the 266/Aβ complex was detected unless the plasma sample had been treated with protein G, which binds to immunoglobulin, thus effectively removing the Mab 266. Consistent levels of complex over the time period tested were found except for a slight drop-off at day seven in animals injected with 100 μg of Mab 266; in general, the levels in animals administered 100 μg were consistently lower than those found in the mice administered 1 mg of this antibody.

C. Two two-month old APP^(V717F) mice were administered 1 mg of Mab 266 intravenously and a 25 μl plasma sample was taken from each. The plasma sample was subjected to NDGGE followed by Western blot as described above except that binding with biotinylated 3D6 was followed by detection with streptavidin¹²⁵I (Amersham) and exposure to a phosphorimaging screen. The level of complex was estimated in comparison to a standard curve using known amounts of Aβ₄₀ complexed with saturating levels of Mab 266 and detected similarly. The amount of Aβ peptide bound to Mab 266 was estimated at approximately 100 ng/ml, representing an increase of approximately 1,000-fold over endogenous Aβ peptide in these mice which had been determined to be about 100 pg/ml. This is also similar to the level of Aβ peptide in APP^(V717F) brain prior to Aβ deposition (50-100 ng/g); human AβP and human Aβ in APP^(V717F) Tg mice are produced almost solely in the brain. Thus, it appears that the presence of Mab 266 in the plasma acts as an Aβ peptide sink facilitating net efflux of Aβ peptide from the CNS into the plasma. This increased net efflux likely results from both increasing Aβ efflux from CNS to plasma and also from preventing Aβ in plasma from re-entering the brain.

The correct size for the sequestered Aβ peptide was confirmed by running 20 μL of plasma samples obtained from APP^(V717F) mice 24 hours after being injected with 1 mg Mab 266 on TRIS-tricine SDS-PAGE gels followed by Western blotting using anti-Aβ antibody 6E10 prior to, or after, protein G exposure using protein G-bound beads. A band that was depleted by protein G was detected at 4-8 kD, consistent with the presence of monomers and possibly dimers of Aβ peptide.

D. Two month old APP^(V717F) mice were treated with either PBS (n=7) or 500 μg biotinylated Mab 266—i.e., m266B (n=9) intraperitoneally. Both prior to and 24 hours after the injection, plasma was analyzed for total Aβ peptide using a modification of the ELISA method of Johnson-Wood, K., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1997). 94:1550-1555; and Bales, K. R., et al., Nature Genet (1997) 17:263-264. Total Aβ bound to m266B was measured by using 96-well Optiplates (Packard, Inc.) coated with m3D6. Diluted plasma samples and standards (varying concentrations of Aβ₄₀ and m266B) were incubated overnight in the coated plates and the amount of total Aβ/m266B complex was determined with the use of ¹²⁵I-Streptavidin. In addition, at the 24-hour time point, the plasma samples were first treated with protein G to quantitate Aβ peptide not bound to Mab 266, and Aβ_(Total) and Aβ₄₂ were determined by ELISA in the CSF. In PBS-injected animals, plasma Aβ peptide levels were 140 μg/ml both before and after injection. Plasma levels were similar in the Mab 266-injected mice prior to injection, but levels of Aβ peptide not bound to Mab 266 were undetectable at 24 hours post injection.

Levels in the CSF were also measured, CSF represents an extracellular compartment within the CNS and concentration of molecules in the CSF reflects to some extent the concentration of substances in the extracellular space of the brain. CSF was isolated from the cisterna magna compartment. Mice were anesthetized with pentobarbital and the musculature from the base of the skull to the first vertebrae was removed. CSF was collected by carefully puncturing the arachnoid membrane covering the cistern with a micro needle under a dissecting microscope and withdrawing the CSF into a polypropylene micropipette. At 24 hours post injection, an increase in total Aβ peptide in the CSF of Mab 266-injected mice was found, and an approximately two-fold increase in Aβ42 as compared to PBS injected mice was obtained in the CSF. This was confirmed using denaturing gel electrophoresis followed by Western blotting with Aβ42-specific antibody 21F12.

In an additional experiment, three month old APP^(V717F) Tg mice were injected with either PBS or Mab 266 intravenously and both Aβ₄₀ and Aβ₄₂ levels were assessed in the CSF as follows:

For measurement of Aβ₄₀, the monoclonal antibody m2G3, specific for Aβ₄₀ was utilized. The ELISA described (Johnson-Wood, K., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1997) 94:1550-1555) was modified into an RIA by replacing the Streptavidin-HRP reagent with ¹²⁵I-Streptavidin. For plasma and CSF samples, the procedure was performed under non-denaturing conditions that lacked guanidine in the buffers. For assessment of carbonate soluble and insoluble Aβ in brain homogenate, samples were homogenized with 100 mM carbonate, 40 mM NaCl, pH 11.5 (4° C.), spun at 10,000 kg for 15 min, and Aβ was assessed in the supernatant (soluble) and the pellet (insoluble) fractions as described (Johnson-Wood, K., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1997) 94:1550-1555) and listed above. The measurement of Aβ/Mab 266 complex in plasma was performed by a modified RIA. Mice were injected with biotinylated Mab 266 (Mab 266B) and plasma was isolated at multiple time points. Total Aβ bound to Mab 266 was measured by using 96-well Optiplates (Packard, Inc.) coated with m3D6. Diluted plasma samples and standards (varying concentrations of Aβ₄₀ and Mab 266B) were incubated overnight in the coated plates and the amount of total Aβ/Mab 266B complex was determined with the use of ¹²⁵¹I-Streptavidin.

Three hours following the intravenous injection of Mab 266, there was a two-fold increase in CSF Aβ₄₀ levels and a non-significant increase in Aβ₄₂. However, at both 24 and 72 hours there was a two to three-fold increase in both Aβ₄₀ and Aβ₄₂ in the CSF. Similar results were obtained using denaturing gel analysis followed by Aβ Western blotting of pooled CSF. The efflux of Aβ through brain interstitial fluid, which is reflected to some degree by CSF levels, likely accounts for the observed increase in CSF Aβ.

It is significant that the change in CSF Aβ peptide levels cannot be due to entry of Mab 266 into the CSF since the levels measured 24 hours after injection, which are less than 0.1% plasma levels of Mab 266, are insufficient to account for the changes. These results suggest Aβ peptide is withdrawn from the brain parenchyma into the CSF by the presence of the antibody in the bloodstream.

Forms of Aβ peptide which are soluble in PBS or carbonate buffer were measured in cerebral cortical homogenates in the same mice which had been injected with Mab 266 and in which the CSF was analyzed as described above. Similar increases in these soluble forms in the cortical homogenates were observed.

Mab 266 Effect on Aβ in the Brain

Four month old APP^(V717F)+/+ mice were treated every 2 weeks for 5 months with IP injections of saline, Mab 266 (500 μg), or control mouse IgG (100 μg, Pharmigen). The mice were sacrificed at nine months of age, and Aβ deposition in the cortex was determined. The % area covered by Aβ-immunoreactivity, as identified with a rabbit pan-Aβ antibody (QCB, Inc.), was quantified in the cortex immediately overlying the dorsal hippocampus as described by Holtzman, D. M., et al., Ann. Neurol. (2000) 97:2892-2897. At this age, about half of each group has still not begun to develop Aβ deposition. However, the % of mice with >50% Aβ burden in the cortex was significantly less (P=0.02, Chi-square test) in the 266-treated group. While APP^(V717F) mice can develop large amounts of Aβ deposits by nine months, there is great variability with about 50% showing no deposits and about 50% showing substantial deposits. In PBS and IgG treated animals, 6/14 and 5/13 mice had greater than 50% of the cortex covered by Aβ staining, while only one of 14 mice treated with Mab 266 had this level of staining. Almost 50% of the animals in all groups still had not developed Aβ deposition by 9 months of age. The latter appears to be due to parental origin of individual mice in our cohort since even though all mice studied were confirmed to be APP^(V717F+/+), high levels of Aβ deposition was observed only in mice derived from 4/8 breeding pairs (High pathology litters). Mice derived from the other 4 breeding pairs were virtually free of Aβ deposits (Low pathology litters). Using parental origin as a co-variate, there was a strong, significant effect of Mab 266 in reducing Aβ deposition (p=0.0082).

PEG-Anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment

Purification of Murine 266 and Humanized 1A1 Fab Analogs

Murine monoclonal antibody designated “266” (m266) was originally prepared by immunization with a peptide composed of residues 13-28 of human Aβ peptide and a Fab fragment of the m266 is designated (m266-Fab). The antibody is confirmed to immunoreact with this peptide. The preparation of m266 has been described previously (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,066,999 and 7,195,761). To covalently attach a PEG molecule to m266-Fab, the Fab may be mutated to introduce a cysteine residue in CDR2 (N56C) of the heavy chain variable and PEGylated in a manner shown below (In Vitro PEGylation and Characterization). As the examples here describe experiments conducted in murine systems, the use of murine monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments is satisfactory. However, in the treatment methods of the invention intended for human use, humanized forms of the antibodies and antibody fragments of the present invention are preferred. Anti-Aβ antibody fragment, 1A1-Fab, referred to in the examples below is a humanized antibody Fab fragment that comprises LCVR of SEQ ID NO. 53 and HCVR of SEQ ID NO. 54.

Culture supernatants from cells transfected with m266-Fab or humanized 1A1 Fab and analogs are purified using a two-step chromatography strategy consisting of cation exchange chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography using Superdex 75 resin (GE Healthcare). Following harvest, culture supernatant is concentrated using TFF and dialyzed against a 20-fold excess volume of 10 mM sodium acetate pH5 overnight at 4° C. Precipitate is removed by centrifugation and supernatant is loaded over a packed bed of SP sepharose (GE Healthcare) charged with 10 mM sodium acetate pH5. The column is washed with 10 mM sodium acetate pH5 containing successively larger amounts of NaCl until the Fab fragment eluted, at approximately 90 to 110 mM NaCl. Column fractions containing active Fab are identified and pooled. The volume is reduced and buffer exchanged (PBS) using a centrifugal concentration device (Millipore). The final volume is adjusted to 13 ml and loaded over a Superdex 75 sizing column. Fab containing fractions eluting at approximately 50 kD are identified and pooled for further characterization and PEGylation.

In Vitro PEGylation and Characterization

N56C Cysteine on 1A1-Fab purified from cell culture is blocked for PEGylation. Pierce's Reduce-Imm™ Immobilized Reductant beads are used to selectively reduce N56C Cysteine. Reductant beads are extracted from the column provided by the manufacturer and used in a batch mode. ^(˜)4 ml of beads are first activated with 8 ml 10 mM DTT in Reduce-IMM Equilibration buffer #1 (sodium phosphate+EDTA, pH 8.0) for 30 mins The beads are then washed 3 times with PBS. 18 ml of 1A1 N56C Fab at 1.7 mg/ml in PBS pH 7.4 are added to the beads and 10 mM EDTA is added to the mixture. The mixture is rotated and incubated at room temperature for 4-5 hours. Fab is separated from the beads using Handee™ resin separators and the beads are washed with PBS. Fab and washes are combined, and reacted with 5 fold molar excess PEG-maleimide (20 kPEG from NOF; 10 kPEG from Sunbio; SkPEG from Nektar) for one hour. Reaction mixture is dialyzed against 4 L 10 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 5.0 so that the Fab and Fab-PEG can be captured on a SP sepharose column that is equilibrated with 10 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 5.0. Non-reacted Fab and Fab-PEG are eluted with a salt gradient. They are eluted between 50 mM to 70 mM NaCl. The protein is further purified by size exclusion chromatography (Superdex75 column, GE Healthcare) with PBS as the mobile phase. The reduction reaction can be scaled up and down. Similar methods can be used to prepare PEGylated murine 266 Fab N56C.

Samples are analyzed with size exclusion chromatography to confirm the addition of PEG to the Fab. Size exclusion chromatography is performed with TSK G3000PW XL (Tosoh Bioscience) column. The column is run at 0.5 ml/min with PBS plus 0.35 M NaCl at pH 7.4 using an Agilent HP1100 series analytical HPLC operating at 214 nm. In addition, samples are analyzed with SDS-PAGE. 10 μg of purified material is loaded on a 4-12% NuPage® Bis-Tris Gel and stained with SimplyBlue™ SafeStain.

1A1-Fab PEG Subcutaneous PK/PD Studies in PDAPP Mice

Studies are performed in young (3-month-old) transgenic PDAPP mice in order to investigate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic plasma response of antibody fragment and antibody fragment-Aβ complex. Several antibody fragment are investigated including: humanized 1A1-Fab; 1A1-Fab+SKD PEG; 1A1-Fab+10KD PEG; and 1A1-Fab+20KD PEG.

PDAPP+/−mice are injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg of respective antibody fragment and plasma is subsequently isolated at different time points depending upon antibody fragment injection group. The following time points are used for the various injection groups:

1A1-Fab are bled at 1, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 48 hours post dose

1A1-Fab+5KD PEG are bled at 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, 96, and 168 hours post dose

1A1-Fab+10KD PEG are bled at 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, 96, and 168 hours post dose

1A1-Fab+20KD PEG are bled at 1, 8, 24, 48, 96, 168, and 240 hours post dose

A total of five animals are analyzed per injection group per time point. The resulting plasma samples are aliquoted and stored at −80-degrees.

A. Methodology for Fab PK Analysis

Plasma 1A1 Fab concentrations for 1A1 Fab are determined using a sandwich ELISA. Plates are coated with goat anti-human IgG Kappa standards, control samples, and study samples are added to the plates then incubated for one hour at room temperature. A goat anti human IgG is used for detection followed by OPD for a colorimetric response. Plates are read at an absorbance of A493 with a reference of A700.

Concentrations from plasma samples are determined from standard curves prepared with known amounts of 1 A1 Fab in mouse plasma using a 4/5-parameter algorithm; the range for the Fab and Fab-5K PEG assay is 0.003 to 0.3 μg/mL: the ranges for the Fab-10K PEG assays are 0.006 to 0.2 and 0.04 to 0.4 μg/mL; the ranges for the Fab 20K PEG assays are 0.02-0.4 and 0.04-0.4 μg/mL. Results demonstrate that addition of a PEG molecule and increasing the size of the PEG molecule increases the retention of the Pegylated Fabs in the plasma (77 ng/ml after 96 hours for 20K Pegylated 1A1 Fab) as compared to the non Pegylated 1A1 Fab (not detectable after 24 hours).

B. 1A1 Aβ ELISA Assay

The ELISA is essentially the same as described above for m266. Samples are prepared by diluting plasma into the sample diluents to yield the following: 20% plasma, 0.5 M guanidine, 5 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.5× protease inhibitor cocktail, 20 μg/ml 1A1, and PBS. The Aβ peptides being measured in these assays are full length Aβ1-40 or Aβ1-42. The colorimetric progression is monitored at 650 nm at 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Results are presented in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Pharmacodynamic Results: Avg. Plasma Concentration for Aβ 40 (pg/ml) Time 1A1 Fab + 1A1 Fab + 1A1 Fab + (h) 1A1 Fab 5 KD PEG 10 KD PEG 20 KD PEG 1 136.8 117.1 116.3 111.2 4 153.6 208.2 281.6 8 96.65 198.4 406.3 529.2 12 131.9 18 105.9 24 114.7 133.6 585.1 1243 48 106.8 95.12 170.7 642 96 88.48 113.7 177.9 168 93.96 110.8 125.4 240 200

The data from Table 6 demonstrates that humanized Fabs that are covalently attached to a PEG molecule provide an ideal PK/PD profile allowing for a flexible dosing schedule while preventing the antibody fragment-antigen complex from accumulating in plasma circulation for extended amounts of time.

Measuring Equilibrium Constants with KinExA

KinExA analysis is used as an orthogonal approach to measure binding affinity through equilibrium binding analysis due to the slow off-rate of the antigen Fab complex. A KinExA 3000 instrument (Sapidyne Inst. Inc.) is used to measure binding kinetics. Briefly, the antigen is covalently coupled to sepharose beads and the binding of free Fab/Fab-PEG to the beads is detected on the instrument. To measure Kd, individual tubes containing Fab/Fab-PEG (20 pM or 500 pM for 1A1-Fab-20kPEG, 5 pM or 50 pM for 1A1 Fab) with decreasing serially diluted antigen human soluble Abeta (1-40) (0-10 nM), are incubated for 30-50 hrs at 37° C. in PBS containing 1 mg/ml BSA to ensure equilibrium achievement. After the incubation, free Fab/Fab-PEG in each equilibrated sample is determined on the KinExA 3000 according to the manufacturer's instructions. K_(d) values are determined by n-Curve Analysis using KinExA 3000 software. The results demonstrate that 1A1 Fab binds tightly to human Aβ (19 pM), with affinity ^(˜)10-fold higher compared to the m266 Fab (240 pM). In addition, covalent attachment of 20K PEG at N56C site has no impact on the affinity of 1A1-Fab (12 pM).

Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Binding Analysis Using Cell-Based ELISA

To assess cross reactivity of 266 Fabs/mAbs with Abeta precursor APP, HEK 293 cells stably expressing APP (aa 1-751) are used. These cells are created by cloning the APP (1-751) gene into a plasmid containing the neomycin resistance marker. The recombinant plasmid is transfected into HEK 293 and cells are selected in 200 μg/ml G418 to generate an over-expressing stable cell line. For binding assays, 75,000 APP 751 cells are plated in each well of a PDL coated 96-well plate. Following incubation for 2 days in growth media (DMEM F12, 5% FBS, 10 mM Hepes pH7.5, 200 μg/ml G418), liquid is removed and 20 μg/ml of Fab or mAb is added in PBS (with Ca/Mg) containing 10 mg/ml BSA. Binding proceeds for 2 hours at 4 C and cells are washed 3× with 10 mg/ml BSA. A secondary antibody (horseradish peroxidase (hrp) conjugated anti kappa light chain) specific to human or mouse light chain is added in PBS/BSA (Southern Biotech). A dilution of 1:5000 in PBS/BSA is used for anti-human light chain and 1:2000 for anti-mouse light chain. Following one-hour incubation at 4 C, the cells are washed 5× with BSA/PBS. Hrp activity, as a function of Fab/mAb binding to APP, is measured by adding the substrate TMB for 10 minutes. The reactions are transferred to a clear 96-well plate and absorbance at 650 nm is measured. Data indicate that the Pegylated (5 kD, 10 kD), and 20 kD) 1A1-Fab and m266-Fab confer selectivity for Abeta peptide over APP.

Exemplified Anti-N3pGlu Aβ Antibody and Anti-Tau Antibody Combination

In Vivo Murine Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify (in animal models) that the combination of the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibodies of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by deposition of Aβ and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the Abeta plaque lowering of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody such as hE8L, Antibody I or Antibody II, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, tau/APP murine progeny are generated through crossing of tau transgenic mice (for example, JNPL3 or Tg4510) with an APP transgenic mouse line (e.g., Tg2576 or PDAPP or APP knock-in). Tau/APP transgenic mice, as described above, have shown amyloid deposition may accelerate the spread of tau pathology. Tau/APP transgenic mice may be divided into treatment groups consisting of: (a) control antibody (30 mg/kg); (b) anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); (c) anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); and (d) anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody (15 mg/kg) and anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg).

Following the treatment period, mice may be sacrificed and brain and spinal cord tissue collected. Tau aggregate pathology and amyloid plaque pathology may be assessed as described above. To assess, Aβ reductions, parenchymal Aβ concentrations are determined in guanidine solubilized tissue homogenates by sandwich ELISA. Tissue extraction is performed with the bead beater technology wherein frozen tissue is extracted in 1 ml of 5.5 M guanidine/50 mM Tris/0.5× protease inhibitor cocktail at pH 8.0 in 2 ml deep well dishes containing 1 ml of siliconized glass beads (sealed plates were shaken for two intervals of 3-minutes each). The resulting tissue lysates are analyzed by sandwich ELISA for Abeta₁₋₄₀ and Abeta₁₋₄₂: bead beater samples are diluted 1:10 in 2% BSA/PBS-T and filtered through sample filter plates (Millipore). Samples, blanks, standards, quality control samples, are further diluted in 0.55 M guanidine/5 mM Tris in 2% BSA/PBST prior to loading the sample plates. Reference standard are diluted in sample diluent. Plates coated with the capture antibody 21F12 (anti-Abeta₄₂) or 2G3 (anti-Abeta₄₀) at 15 μg/ml are incubated with samples and detection is accomplished with biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) diluted in 2% BSA/PBS-T, followed by 1:20 K dilution NeutrAvidin-HRP (Pierce) in 2% BSA/PBS-T and color development with TMB (Pierce). The Aβ levels are interpolated from standard curves and the final tissue concentration is calculated as nanograms of Aβ per milligram of tissue wet weight. The percent area of the hippocampus and cortex occupied by deposited Aβ may be determined histologically. Cryostat serial coronal sections (7 to 10 μm thick) are incubated with 10 μg/ml of biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) or negative control murine IgG (biotinylated). Secondary HRP reagents specific for biotin are employed and the deposited Aβ visualized with DAB-Plus (DAKO). Immunoreactive Aβ deposits are quantified in defined areas of interest within the hippocampus or cortex by analyzing captured images with Image Pro plus software (Media Cybernetics). This study may show that the combination therapy of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody and an anti-Tau antibody may result in a combination of both Aβ reduction and reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

In Vivo Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify that the combination of the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibodies of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by deposition of Aβ and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the Abeta plaque lowering of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody such as hE8L, Antibody I or Antibody II, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, delay in disease progression may be assessed by biomarkers and/or cognitive and functional decline assessment using validated rating scales.

Patients may be divided into treatment groups consisting of double-blinded placebo and combination therapy groups. Combination therapy groups are administered an effective amount of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody (an effective amount of anti-N3pGlu antibody may be determined based on achievement of significant amyloid reduction by florbetapir PET imagining, e.g., 3-40 mg/kg IV), in combination with an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody (an effective amount of anti-Tau antibody may be determined based on achievement of slowing of progression of tau NFTs by tau PET imagine, e.g., 200-2800 mg IV). Monotherapy groupings (monotherapy group of anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody at the same dosage as the anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody in the combination therapy group; and monotherapy group of anti-Tau antibody at the same dosage as the anti-Tau antibody in the combination therapy group) may be included to further elucidate the contributions of each individual antibody to the disease modification. Moreover, treatment groups may be characterized based on a diagnosis of pre-clinical or clinical AD, or based on a diagnosis that the patient (although asymptomatic for AD) possesses an AD disease-causing genetic mutation. For example, groups may include one or more of: (a) asymptomatic but AD-causing genetic-mutation positive; (b) preclinical AD; (c) prodromal AD; (d) mild AD; (e) moderate AD; and (f) severe AD. Each treatment group may receive the respective treatment once per month for a treatment period of 3 months to 24 months (and may receive the respective treatments for different time periods, e.g., 3-6 month treatment period for N3PGlu Abeta antibody and 24 month treatment period for anti-tau antibody).

Following the treatment period, AD neurodegeneration may be assessed through one or more of the following biomarker assessments: (a) Tau PET imagining (assessment of NFT accumulation); (b) volumetric MRI (assessment of neuroanatomical atrophy); (c) FDG-PEG PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (d) florbetapir perfusion PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (e) CSF tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (f) CSF phosphorylated-Tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (g) CSF neurofilament light chain concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (h) CSF neurogranin concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); and (i) florbetapir PET imagining (assessment of amyloid plaque pathology). Additionally, one or more validated rating scales assessing the cognitive and functional decline of each treatment group may be applied, for example ADAS-cog, MMSE, CDR-SB, ADCS-ADL, and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). This study may show that the combination therapy of an anti-N3pGlu Abeta antibody of the present invention and an anti-Tau antibody of the present invention may result in a combination of both Abeta reductions, and reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

Exemplified Anti-Aβ Antibody and Anti-Tau Antibody Combination

In Vivo Murine Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify (in animal models) that the combination of the anti-Aβ antibodies of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the impact of sequestration of Aβ by exemplified anti-Aβ antibody, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, tau/APP murine progeny are generated through crossing of tau transgenic mice (for example, JNPL3 or Tg4510) with an APP transgenic mouse line (e.g., Tg2576 or PDAPP or APP knock-in). Tau/APP transgenic mice, as described above, have shown amyloid deposition may accelerate the spread of tau pathology. Tau/APP transgenic mice may be divided into treatment groups consisting of: (a) control antibody (30 mg/kg); (b) anti-Aβ antibody (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); (c) anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); and (d) anti-Aβ antibody (15 mg/kg) and anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg).

Following the treatment period, mice may be sacrificed and brain and spinal cord tissue collected. Tau aggregate pathology and amyloid plaque pathology may be assessed as described above. Free plasma Aβ levels may be assessed as described above. To assess Aβ reductions, parenchymal Aβ concentrations are determined in guanidine solubilized tissue homogenates by sandwich ELISA. Tissue extraction is performed with the bead beater technology wherein frozen tissue is extracted in 1 ml of 5.5 M guanidine/50 mM Tris/0.5× protease inhibitor cocktail at pH 8.0 in 2 ml deep well dishes containing 1 ml of siliconized glass beads (sealed plates were shaken for two intervals of 3-minutes each). The resulting tissue lysates are analyzed by sandwich ELISA for Abeta₁₋₄₀ and Abeta₁₋₄₂: bead beater samples are diluted 1:10 in 2% BSA/PBS-T and filtered through sample filter plates (Millipore). Samples, blanks, standards, quality control samples, are further diluted in 0.55 M guanidine/5 mM Tris in 2% BSA/PBST prior to loading the sample plates. Reference standard are diluted in sample diluent. Plates coated with the capture antibody 21F12 (anti-Abeta₄₂) or 2G3 (anti-Abeta₄₀) at 15 μg/ml are incubated with samples and detection is accomplished with biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) diluted in 2% BSA/PBS-T, followed by 1:20 K dilution NeutrAvidin-HRP (Pierce) in 2% BSA/PBS-T and color development with TMB (Pierce). The Aβ levels are interpolated from standard curves and the final tissue concentration is calculated as nanograms of Aβ per milligram of tissue wet weight. The percent area of the hippocampus and cortex occupied by deposited Aβ may be determined histologically. Cryostat serial coronal sections (7 to 10 μm thick) are incubated with 10 μg/ml of biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) or negative control murine IgG (biotinylated). Secondary HRP reagents specific for biotin are employed and the deposited Aβ visualized with DAB-Plus (DAKO). Immunoreactive Aβ deposits are quantified in defined areas of interest within the hippocampus or cortex by analyzing captured images with Image Pro plus software (Media Cybernetics). This study may show that the combination therapy of an anti-Aβ antibody and an anti-Tau antibody may result in a combination of a reduction in free Aβ levels, amyloid plaque reduction and reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

In Vivo Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify that the combination of the anti-Aβ antibodies of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the impact of sequestration of Aβ of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, delay in disease progression may be assessed by biomarkers and/or cognitive and functional decline assessment using validated rating scales.

Patients may be divided into treatment groups consisting of double-blinded placebo and combination therapy groups. Combination therapy groups are administered an effective amount of an anti-Aβ antibody (an effective amount of anti-Aβ antibody may be determined, for example, based on achievement of significant reduction of modeled free plasma Aβ, e.g., 3-40 mg/kg IV), in combination with an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody (an effective amount of anti-Tau antibody may be determined, for example, based on achievement of slowing of progression of tau NFTs by tau PET imagine, e.g., 200-2800 mg IV). Monotherapy groupings (monotherapy group of anti-Aβ antibody at the same dosage as the anti-Aβ antibody in the combination therapy group; and monotherapy group of anti-Tau antibody at the same dosage as the anti-Tau antibody in the combination therapy group) may be included to further elucidate the contributions of each individual antibody to the disease modification. Moreover, treatment groups may be characterized based on a diagnosis of pre-clinical or clinical AD, or based on a diagnosis that the patient (although asymptomatic for AD) possesses an AD disease-causing genetic mutation. For example, groups may include one or more of: (a) asymptomatic but AD-causing genetic-mutation positive; (b) preclinical AD; (c) prodromal AD; (d) mild AD; (e) moderate AD; and (f) severe AD. Each treatment group may receive the respective treatment once per month for a treatment period of 3 months to 24 months (and may receive the respective treatments for different time periods, e.g., 3-6 month treatment period for anti-Aβ antibody and 24 month treatment period for anti-tau antibody).

Following the treatment period, AD neurodegeneration may be assessed through one or more of the following biomarker assessments: (a) Tau PET imagining (assessment of NFT accumulation); (b) volumetric MRI (assessment of neuroanatomical atrophy); (c) FDG-PEG PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (d) florbetapir perfusion PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (e) CSF tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (f) CSF phosphorylated-Tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (g) CSF neurofilament light chain concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (h) CSF neurogranin concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); and (i) florbetapir PET imagining (assessment of amyloid plaque pathology). Additionally, one or more validated rating scales assessing the cognitive and functional decline of each treatment group may be applied, for example ADAS-cog, MMSE, CDR-SB, ADCS-ADL, and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ).

This study may show that the combination therapy of an anti-Aβ antibody of the present invention and an anti-Tau antibody of the present invention may result in a combination of both reduced free plasma and CSF Ap, and a reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

Exemplified PEG-Anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment and Anti-Tau Antibody Combination

In Vivo Murine Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify (in animal models) that the combination of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the impact of plasma Aβ reduction by exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, tau/APP murine progeny are generated through crossing of tau transgenic mice (for example, JNPL3 or Tg4510) with an APP transgenic mouse line (e.g., Tg2576 or PDAPP or APP knock-in). Tau/APP transgenic mice, as described above, have shown amyloid deposition may accelerate the spread of tau pathology. Tau/APP transgenic mice may be divided into treatment groups consisting of: (a) control antibody (30 mg/kg); (b) PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); (c) anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg) and control antibody (15 mg/kg); and (d) PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragments (15 mg/kg) and anti-Tau antibody (15 mg/kg).

Following the treatment period, mice may be sacrificed and brain and spinal cord tissue collected. Tau aggregate pathology may be assessed as described above. Plasma Aβ levels may be assessed as described above (and as previously described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,761). To assess Aβ reductions, parenchymal Aβ concentrations are determined in guanidine solubilized tissue homogenates by sandwich ELISA. Tissue extraction is performed with the bead beater technology wherein frozen tissue is extracted in 1 ml of 5.5 M guanidine/50 mM Tris/0.5× protease inhibitor cocktail at pH 8.0 in 2 ml deep well dishes containing 1 ml of siliconized glass beads (sealed plates were shaken for two intervals of 3-minutes each). The resulting tissue lysates are analyzed by sandwich ELISA for Abeta₁₋₄₀ and Abeta₁₋₄₂: bead beater samples are diluted 1:10 in 2% BSA/PBS-T and filtered through sample filter plates (Millipore). Samples, blanks, standards, quality control samples, are further diluted in 0.55 M guanidine/5 mM Tris in 2% BSA/PBST prior to loading the sample plates. Reference standard are diluted in sample diluent. Plates coated with the capture antibody 21F12 (anti-Abeta₄₂) or 2G3 (anti-Abeta₄₀) at 15 μg/ml are incubated with samples and detection is accomplished with biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) diluted in 2% BSA/PBS-T, followed by 1:20 K dilution NeutrAvidin-HRP (Pierce) in 2% BSA/PBS-T and color development with TMB (Pierce). The Aβ levels are interpolated from standard curves and the final tissue concentration is calculated as nanograms of Aβ per milligram of tissue wet weight. The percent area of the hippocampus and cortex occupied by deposited Aβ may be determined histologically. Cryostat serial coronal sections (7 to 10 μm thick) are incubated with 10 μg/ml of biotinylated 3D6 (anti-Abeta_(1-x)) or negative control murine IgG (biotinylated). Secondary HRP reagents specific for biotin are employed and the deposited Aβ visualized with DAB-Plus (DAKO). Immunoreactive Aβ deposits are quantified in defined areas of interest within the hippocampus or cortex by analyzing captured images with Image Pro plus software (Media Cybernetics). This study may show that the combination therapy of a PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment and an anti-Tau antibody may result in a combination of a reduction in Aβ levels, amyloid plaque reduction and reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

In Vivo Combination Study

The following Example demonstrates how a study could be designed to verify that the combination of the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment of the present invention, in combination with the anti-Tau antibodies of the present invention, may be useful for treating a disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation, such as AD. It should be understood however, that the following descriptions are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to evaluate the impact of plasma Aβ reduction of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment, and the tau aggregation propagation neutralization of exemplified anti-Tau antibody, in a combination therapy as described herein, delay in disease progression may be assessed by biomarkers and/or cognitive and functional decline assessment using validated rating scales.

Patients may be divided into treatment groups consisting of double-blinded placebo and combination therapy groups. Combination therapy groups are administered an effective amount of an PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment (an effective amount of PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment may be determined, for example, based on achievement of significant reduction of modeled free plasma Aβ, e.g., 25-200 mg subcutaneous per week), in combination with an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody (an effective amount of anti-Tau antibody may be determined, for example, based on achievement of slowing of progression of tau NFTs by tau PET imagine, e.g., 200-2800 mg IV). Monotherapy groupings (monotherapy group of PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment at the same dosage as the PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment in the combination therapy group; and monotherapy group of anti-Tau antibody at the same dosage as the anti-Tau antibody in the combination therapy group) may be included to further elucidate the contributions of each individual antibody to the disease modification. Moreover, treatment groups may be characterized based on a diagnosis of pre-clinical or clinical AD, or based on a diagnosis that the patient (although asymptomatic for AD) possesses an AD disease-causing genetic mutation. For example, groups may include one or more of: (a) asymptomatic but AD-causing genetic-mutation positive; (b) preclinical AD; (c) prodromal AD; (d) mild AD; (e) moderate AD; and (f) severe AD. Each treatment group may receive the respective treatment once per month for a treatment period of 3 months to 24 months (and may receive the respective treatments for different time periods, e.g., 3-6 month treatment period for PEG-anti-Aβ antibody fragment and 24 month treatment period for anti-tau antibody).

Following the treatment period, AD neurodegeneration may be assessed through one or more of the following biomarker assessments: (a) Tau PET imagining (assessment of NFT accumulation); (b) volumetric MRI (assessment of neuroanatomical atrophy); (c) FDG-PEG PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (d) florbetapir perfusion PET imagining (assessment of hypometabolism); (e) CSF tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (f) CSF phosphorylated-Tau concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (g) CSF neurofilament light chain concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); (h) CSF neurogranin concentration (assessment of neurodegeneration); and (i) florbetapir PET imagining (assessment of amyloid plaque pathology). Additionally, one or more validated rating scales assessing the cognitive and functional decline of each treatment group may be applied, for example ADAS-cog, MMSE, CDR-SB, ADCS-ADL, and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ).

This study may show that the combination therapy of a PEG anti-Aβ antibody fragment of the present invention and an anti-Tau antibody of the present invention may result in a combination of both reduced plasma and CSF Ap, and a reduction in tau aggregate propagation.

Sequences

SEQ ID NO. 1-HCDR1-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) KASGYTFTDYYIN SEQ ID NO. 2-HCDR2-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) WINPGSGNTKYNEKFKG SEQ ID NO. 3-HCDR3-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) TREGETVY SEQ ID NO. 4-LCDR1-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) KSSQSLLYSRGKTYLN SEQ ID NO. 5-LCDR2-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody II) YAVSKLDS SEQ ID NO. 6-LCDR2-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I) YDVSKLDS SEQ ID NO. 7-LCDR3-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) VQGTHYPFT SEQ ID NO. 8-HCVR-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCTREGETVYWGQ GTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO. 9-LCVR-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I) DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWFQQRPGQSPRRLIYD VSKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLE IK SEQ ID NO. 10-LCVR-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody II) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLQQKPGKAPKLLIYA VSKLDSGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI K SEQ ID NO. 11-HC-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I and Antibody II) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCTREGETVYWGQ GTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALT SGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKS CDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKF NWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKA LPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWES NGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFScSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG SEQ ID NO. 12-LC-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody I) DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWFQQRPGQSPRRLIYD VSKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLE IKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQ ESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 13-LC-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (Antibody II) DIQMTQSPSTLSASVGDRVTITCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLQQKPGKAPKLLIYA VSKLDSGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPDDFATYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI KRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQ ESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 14-Exemplified DNA for Expressing HC of SEQ ID NO. 11 CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAGTCTGGGGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCTGGGTCCTCGG TGAAGGTCTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACCTTCACCGACTATTATATCAAC TGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCTGGACAAGGGCTTGAGTGGATGGGATGGATCAACC CTGGCAGTGGTAATACAAAGTACAATGAGAAGTTCAAGGGCAGAGTCAC GAT TACCGCGGACGAATCCACGAGCACAGCCTACATGGAGCTGAGCAGCCTGAGA TCTGAGGACACGGCCGTGTATTACTGTACAAGAGAAGGCGAGACGGTCTACT GGGGCCAGGGAACCCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATC GGTCTTCCCGCTAGCACCCTCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCC TGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAA CTCAGGCGCCCTGACCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCT CAGGACTCTACTCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGC ACCCAGACCTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGG ACAAGAAAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTG CCCAGCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAAC CCAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGT GGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGC GTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACAACAGC ACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGAATGG CAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCCATCGAG AAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGTGTACACCC TGCCCCCATCCCGGGACGAGCTGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCCTGACCTGCCT GGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGGGAGAGCAATGGG CAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCCCCCGTGCTGGACTCCGACGGCT CCTTCTTCCTCTATAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGG GAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGC AGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGT SEQ ID NO. 15-Exemplified DNA for Expressing LC of SEQ ID NO. 12 GATGTTGTGATGACTCAGTCTCCACTCTCCCTGCCCGTCACCCTTGGACAGCC GGCCTCCATCTCCTGCAAGTCTAGTCAAAGCCTCCTGTACAGTCGCGGAAAAA CCTACTTGAATTGGTTTCAGCAGAGGCCAGGCCAATCTCCAAGGCGCCTAATT TATGATGTTTCTAAACTGGACTCTGGGGTCCCAGACAGATTCAGCGGCAGTGG GTCAGGCACTGATTTCACACTGAAAATCAGCAGGGTGGAGGCTGAGGATGTT GGGGTTTATTACTGCGTGCAAGGTACACACTACCCTTTCACTTTTGGCCAAGG GACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGGACCGTGGCTGCACCATCTGTCTTCATCTTCC CGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTG AATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCC TCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACA GCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAA ACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTC ACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTGC SEQ ID NO. 16-Exemplified DNA for Expressing LC of SEQ ID NO. 13 GACATCCAGATGACCCAGTCTCCTTCCACCCTGTCTGCATCTGTAGGAGACAG AGTCACCATCACTTGCAAGTCCAGTCAGAGTCTCCTGTACAGTCGCGGAAAA ACCTATTTGAACTGGCTCCAGCAGAAACCAGGGAAAGCCCCTAAGCTCCTGA TCTATGCTGTCTCCAAACTGGACAGTGGGGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGCGGCAGT GGATCTGGGACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCTGATGATTT TGCAACTTATTACTGCGTGCAGGGTACACATTATCCTTTCACTTTTGGCCAGG GGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGGACCGTGGCTGCACCATCTGTCTTCATCTTC CCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCTCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCT GAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAGTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCC CTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCACAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACA GCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGCTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAA ACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACCCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTC ACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTGC SEQ ID NO. 17-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LCDR1-B12L/R17L/hE8L) KSSQSLLYSRGKTYLN SEQ ID NO. 18-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LCDR2-B12L/R17L/hE8L) AVSKLDS SEQ ID NO. 19-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LCDR3-B12L/R17L/hE8L) VQGTHYPFT SEQ ID NO. 20-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR1-B12L) GYDFTRYYIN SEQ ID NO. 21-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR1-R17L) GYTFTRYYIN SEQ ID NO. 22-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR2-B12L/R17L/hE8L) WINPGSGNTKYNEKFKG SEQ ID NO. 23-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR3-B12L) EGITVY SEQ ID NO. 24-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR3-R17L) EGTTVY SEQ ID NO. 25-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LCVR-B12L/R17L) DIVMTQTPLSLSVTPGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLLQKPGQSPQLLIYAV SKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI K SEQ ID NO. 26-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCVR-B12L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYDFTRYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGITVYWGQ GTTVTVSS SEQ ID NO. 27-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCVR-R17L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTRYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGTTVYWGQ GTTVTVSS SEQ ID NO. 28-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LC-B12L/R17L) DIVMTQTPLSLSVTPGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLLQKPGQSPQLLIYAV SKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI KRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQ ESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 29-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HC-B12L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYDFTRYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGITVYWGQ GTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALT SGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKS CDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKF NWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKA LPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGEYPSDIAVEWES NGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG SEQ ID NO. 30-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HC-R17L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTRYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGTTVYWGQ GTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALT SGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKS CDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKF NWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKA LPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGEYPSDIAVEWES NGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG SEQ ID NO. 31-N3pGlu Aβ [pE]FRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVVIA SEQ ID NO. 32-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LCVR-hE8L) DIVMTQTPLSLSVTPGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLLQKPGQSPQLLIYAV SKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI K SEQ ID NO. 33-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (LC-hE8L) DIVMTQTPLSLSVTPGQPASISCKSSQSLLYSRGKTYLNWLLQKPGQSPQLLIYAV SKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCVQGTHYPFTFGQGTKLEI KRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQ ESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 34-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCVR-hE8L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGETVYWGQ GTTVTVSS SEQ ID NO. 35-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HC-hE8L) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYYINWVRQAPGQGLEWMGWINP GSGNTKYNEKFKGRVTITADESTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCAREGETVYWGQ GTTVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALT SGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKS CDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKF NWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKA LPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWES NGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHY TQKSLSLSPG SEQ ID NO. 36-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR1-hE8L) GYTFTDYYIN SEQ ID NO. 37-anti-N3pGlu Antibody (HCDR3-hE8L) EGETVY SEQ ID NO. 38-Aβ 1-42 DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVVIA SEQ ID NO. 39-LCDR1 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody RSSQSLIYSDGNAYLH SEQ ID NO. 40-LCDR2 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody KVSNRFS SEQ ID NO. 41-LCDR3 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody SQSTHVPWT SEQ ID NO. 42-HCDR1 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody RYSMS SEQ ID NO. 43-HCDR2 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody QINSVGNSTYYPDTVKG SEQ ID NO. 44-HCDR3 of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody GDY SEQ ID NO. 45-LCVR of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody DXaa₂VMTQXaa₇PLSLPVXaa₁₄Xaa₁₅GQPASISCRSSQSLXaa₃₀YSDGNAYLHWFLQ KPGQSPXaa₅₀LLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDXaa₈₈GVYYCS QSTHVPWTFGXaa₁₀₅GTXaa₁₀₈Xaa₁₀₉EIKR Wherein the Xaa₂ at position 2 is Val or Ile Wherein the Xaa₇ at position 7 is Ser or Thr Wherein the Xaa₁₄ at position 14 is Thr or Ser Wherein the Xaa₁₅ at position 15 is Leu or Pro Wherein the Xaa₃₀ at position 30 is Ile or Val Wherein the Xaa₅₀ at position 50 is Arg, Gln, or Lys Wherein the Xaa₈₈ at position 88 is Val or Leu Wherein the Xaa₁₀₅ at position 105 is Gln or Gly Wherein the Xaa₁₀₈ at position 108 is Lys or Arg Wherein the Xaa₁₀₉ at position 109 is Val or Leu SEQ ID NO. 46-HCVR of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody Xaa₁VQLVEXaa₇GGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRYSMSWVRQAPGKGLXaa₄₆L VAQINSVGNSTYYPDXaa₆₃VKGRFTISRDNXaa₇₅Xaa₇₆NTLYLQMNSLRAXaa₈₉DT AVYY CASGDYWGQGTXaa₁₀₇VTVSS Wherein the Xaa₁ at position 1 is Glu or Gln Wherein the Xaa₇ at position 7 is Ser or Leu Wherein the Xaa₄₆ at position 46 is Glu, Val, Asp or Ser Wherein the Xaa₆₃ at position 63 is Thr or Ser Wherein the Xaa at position 75 is Ala, Ser, Val or Thr Wherein the Xaa at position 76 is Lys or Arg Wherein the Xaa at position 89 is Glu or Asp Wherein the Xaa at position 107 is Leu or Thr SEQ ID NO. 47-LCVR of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCRSSQSLIYSDGNAYLHWFLQKPGQSPRLLIYKV SNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCSQSTHVPWTFGQGTKVEI KR SEQ ID NO. 48-HCVR of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRYSMSWVRQAPGKGLELVAQINSV GNSTYYPDTVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCASGDYWGQGTL VTVSS SEQ ID NO. 49-LC of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCRSSQSLIYSDGNAYLHWFLQKPGQSPRLLIYKV SNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCSQSTHVPWTFGQGTKVEI KRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQ ESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 50-HC of exemplified anti-Aβ antibody EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSRYSMSWVRQAPGKGLELVAQINSV GNSTYYPDTVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCASGDYWGQGTL VTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGV HTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDK THTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWY VDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAP IEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQP ENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSL SLSPGK SEQ ID NO. 51-3′ Primer for VL PCR tatagagctc aagcttggat ggtgggaaga tggatacagt tggtgc SEQ ID NO. 52-3′ Primer for VII PCR tatagagctc aagcttccag tggatagach gatggggstg tygttttggc SEQ ID NO. 53-LCVR of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment DIVMTQTPLSLSVTPGQPASISCSSSQSLIYSDGNAYLHWYLQKPGQSPQLLIYKV SNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYYCTQSTHSPWTFGGGTKVEI K SEQ ID NO. 54-HCVR of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment EVQLVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGYTFSRYSMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGQINIR GCNTYYPDTVKGRFTISRDDSKNTLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCTTGDFWGQGTL VTVSS wherein, Cys at residue 56 is pegylated with a 20 KD PEG via maleimide linkage SEQ ID NO. 55-HCVR of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment EVQLVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGYTFSRYSMSWVRQAPGKGLEWVGQINIR GNNTYYPDTVKGRFTISRDDSKNTLYLQMNSLKTEDTAVYYCTTGDFWGQGTL VTVSS SEQ ID NO. 56-amino acid residues 13-28 of Aβ peptide HHQKLVFFAEDVGSNK SEQ ID NO. 57-amino acid residues 14-28 of Aβ peptide HQKLVFFAEDVGSNK SEQ ID NO. 58-LCDR1 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment SSSQSLIYSDGNAYLH SEQ ID NO. 59-LCDR2 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment KVSNRFS SEQ ID NO. 60-LCDR3 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment TQSTHSPWT SEQ ID NO. 61-HCDR1 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment GYTFSRYSMS SEQ ID NO. 62-HCVR2 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment QINIRGCNTYYPDTVK SEQ ID NO. 63-HCDR2 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment QINIRGNNTYYPDTVKG SEQ ID NO. 64-HCDR3 of exemplified PEG-anti-Aβ Antibody Fragment GDF SEQ ID NO. 65-cDNA encoding LCVR (SEQ ID NO. 53) of exemplified PEG-anti- Aβ Antibody Fragment gacatcgtta tgactcagac tccattgtcc ttgtctgtta ctccaggtca accagcttct atttcctgtt cctcctccca atctttgatc tactccgacg gtaacgctta cttgcactgg tacttgcaaa agcctggtca atccccacaa ttgttgatct acaaggtttc caacagattc tctggtgttc ctgacagatt ttctggttcc ggttccggta ctgacttcac tttgaagatc tccagagttg aagctgagga tgttggtgtt tactactgta ctcagtccac tcattcccca tggacttttg gtggtggtac taaggttgag atcaagagaa ctgttgctgc tccatccgtt ttcattttcc caccatccga cgaacaattg aagtctggta ctgcttccgt tgtttgtttg ttgaacaact tctacccaag agaggctaag gttcagtgga aggttgacaa cgctttgcaa tccggtaact cccaagaatc cgttactgag caagactcta aggactccac ttactccttg tcctccactt tgactttgtc caaggctgat tacgagaagc acaaggttta cgcttgtgag gttacacatc agggtttgtc ctccccagtt actaagtcct tcaacagagg agagtcc SEQ ID NO. 66-cDNA encoding HCVR (SEQ ID NO. 54) of exemplified PEG-anti- Aβ Antibody Fragment gaggttcagt tggttgaatc tggtggtgga ttggttaagc ctggtggttc tttgagattg tcctgtgctg cttccggtta cactttctcc agatactcca tgtcctgggt tagacaagct ccaggaaagg gattggagtg ggttggtcaa atcaacatca gaggttgtaa cacttactac ccagacactg ttaagggaag attcactatc tccagagatg actccaagaa cactttgtac ttgcagatga actccttgaa aactgaggac actgctgttt actactgtac tactggtgac ttttggggac agggaacttt ggttactgtt tcctccgctt ctactaaggg accatccgtt tttccattgg ctccatcctc taagtctact tccggtggta ctgctgcttt gggatgtttg gttaaggact acttcccaga gccagttact gtttcttgga actccggtgc tttgacttct ggtgttcaca ctttcccagc tgttttgcaa tcttccggtt tgtactcctt gtcctccgtt gttactgttc catcctcttc cttgggtact cagacttaca tctgtaacgt taaccacaag ccatccaaca ctaaggttga caagaaggtt gaaccaaagt cctctgacaa gactcac SEQ ID NO. 67-LC of exemplified anti-Tau antibody EIVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCRSSQSLVHSNQNTYLHWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYKV DNRFSGIPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCSQSTLVPLTFGGGTKVEIKRT VAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVT EQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC SEQ ID NO. 68-HC of exemplified anti-Tau antibody EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLKISCKGSGYTFSNYWIEWVRQMPGKGLEWMGEILPG SDSIKYEKNFKGQVTISADKSISTAYLQWSSLKASDTAMYYCARRGNYVDDWGQ GTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTS GVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRVESKYG PPCPPCPAPEAAGGPSVFLEPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSQEDPEVQFNWYV DGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKGLPSSW KTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPE NNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDKSRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLS LSLG SEQ ID NO. 69-LCDR1 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody RSSQSLVHSNQNTYLH SEQ ID NO. 70-LCDR2 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody YKVDNRFS SEQ ID NO. 71-LCDR3 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody SQSTLVPLT SEQ ID NO. 72-HCDR1 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody KGSGYTFSNYWIE SEQ ID NO. 73-HCDR2 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody EILPGSDSIKYEKNFKG SEQ ID NO. 74-HCDR3 of exemplified anti-Tau antibody ARRGNYVDD SEQ ID NO. 75-LCVR of exemplified anti-Tau antibody EIVLTQSPGTLSLSPGERATLSCRSSQSLVHSNQNTYLHWYQQKPGQAPRLLIYKV DNRFSGIPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISRLEPEDFAVYYCSQSTLVPLTFGGGTKVEIK SEQ ID NO. 76-HCVR of exemplified anti-Tau antibody EVQLVQSGAEVKKPGESLKISCKGSGYTFSNYWIEWVRQMPGKGLEWMGEILPG SDSIKYEKNFKGQVTISADKSISTAYLQWSSLKASDTAMYYCARRGNYVDDWGQ GTLVTVSS SEQ ID NO. 77-Nucleotide Sequence Encoding the Exemplified HC (SEQ ID NO: 68) gaggtgcagctggtgcagtctggagcagaggtgaaaaagcccggggagtctctgaagatctcctgtaagggttctggctacac attcagtaactactggatagagtgggtgcgccagatgcccgggaaaggcctggagtggatgggggagattttacctggaagtga tagtattaagtacgaaaagaatttcaagggccaggtcaccatctcagccgacaagtccatcagcaccgcctacctgcagtggag cagcctgaaggcctcggacaccgccatgtattactgtgcgagaagggggaactacgtggacgactggggccagggcaccctg gtcaccgtctcctcagcttctaccaagggcccatcggtcttcccgctagcgccctgctccaggagcacctccgagagcacagcc gccctgggctgcctggtcaaggactacttccccgaaccggtgacggtgtcgtggaactcaggcgccctgaccagcggcgtgca caccttcccggctgtcctacagtcctcaggactctactccctcagcagcgtggtgaccgtgccctccagcagcttgggcacgaag acctacacctgcaacgtagatcacaagcccagcaacaccaaggtggacaagagagttgagtccaaatatggtcccccatgccc accctgcccagcacctgaggccgccgggggaccatcagtcttcctgttccccccaaaacccaaggacactctcatgatctcccg gacccctgaggtcacgtgcgtggtggtggacgtgagccaggaagaccccgaggtccagttcaactggtacgtggatggcgtg gaggtgcataatgccaagacaaagccgcgggaggagcagttcaacagcacgtaccgtgtggtcagcgtcctcaccgtcctgca ccaggactggctgaacggcaaggagtacaagtgcaaggtctccaacaaaggcctcccgtcctccatcgagaaaaccatctcca aagccaaagggcagccccgagagccacaggtgtacaccctgcccccatcccaggaggagatgaccaagaaccaggtcagc ctgacctgcctggtcaaaggettctaccccagcgacatcgccgtggagtgggaaagcaatgggcagccggagaacaactaca agaccacgcctcccgtgctggactccgacggctccttcttcctctacagcaggctaaccgtggacaagagcaggtggcaggag gggaatgtcttctcatgctccgtgatgcatgaggctctgcacaaccactacacacagaagagcctctccctgtctctgggt SEQ ID NO. 78-Nucleotide Sequence Encoding the Exemplified LC (SEQ ID NO: 67) gaaattgtgttgacgcagtctccaggcaccctgtetttgtctccaggggaaagagccaccctctcctgcagatctagtcagagcct tgtacacagtaatcagaacacctatttacattggtaccagcagaaacctggccaggctcccaggctcctcatctataaagttgaca accgatifictggcatcccagacaggttcagtggcagtgggtctgggacagacttcactctcaccatcagcagactggagcctga agattttgcagtgtattactgttctcaaagtacactggttccgctcacgttcggcggagggaccaaggtggagatcaaacggaccg tggctgcaccatctgtettcatcttcccgccatctgatgagcagttgaaatctggaactgcctctgttgtgtgcctgctgaataacttct ateccagagaggccaaagtacagtggaaggtggataacgccetccaategggtaacteccaggagagtgtcacagagcagga cagcaaggacagcacctacagectcagcagcaccetgacgctgagcaaagcagactacgagaaacacaaagtetacgcctgc gaagtcacccatcagggcctgagetcgcccgtcacaaagagettcaacaggggagagtgc SEQ ID NO. 79-Amino Acid Sequence of Human, Full-Length Tau MAEPRQEFEVMEDHAGTYGLGDRKDQGGYTMHQDQEGDTDAGLKESPLQTPT EDGSEEPGSETSDAKSTPTAEDVTAPLVDEGAPGKQAAAQPHTEIPEGTTAEEAGI GDTPSLEDEAAGHVTQARMVSKSKDGTGSDDKKAKGADGKTKIATPRGAAPPG QKGQANATRIPAKTPPAPKTPPSSGEPPKSGDRSGYSSPGSPGTPGSRSRTPSLPTP PTREPKKVAVVRTPPKSPSSAKSRLQTAPVPMPDLKNVKSKIGSTENLKHQPGGG KVQIINKKLDLSNVQSKCGSKDNIKHVPGGGSVQIVYKPVDLSKVTSKCGSLGNI HHKPGGGQVEVKSEKLDFKDRVQSKIGSLDNITHVPGGGNKKIETHKLTFRENA KAKTDHGAEIVYKSPVVSGDTSPRHLSNVSSTGSIDMVDSPQLATLADEVSASLA KQGL 

We claim:
 1. A method of treating a patient having a disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Aβ antibody in combination with an effective amount of an anti-Tau antibody, wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the LCVR comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and the HCVR comprises CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 69, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 70, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 71, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 72, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 73, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO.
 75. 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 75 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO.
 76. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 67 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 68. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the LCVR comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and the HCVR comprises CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 39, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 40, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 41, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 42, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 43, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO.
 44. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 45, wherein Xaa at position 2 is Vle or Ile; Xaa at position 7 is Ser or Thr; Xaa at position 14 is Thr or Ser; Xaa at position 15 is Leu or Pro; Xaa at position 30 is Ile or Val; Xaa at position 50 is Arg, Gln, or Lys; Xaa at position 88 is Val or Leu; Xaa at position 105 is Gln or Gly; Xaa at position 108 is Lys or Arg; and Xaa at position 109 is Val or Leu; and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 46, wherein Xaa at position 1 is Glu or Gln; Xaa at position 7 is Ser or Leu; Xaa at position 46 is Glu, Val, Asp, or Ser; Xaa at position 63 is Thr or Ser; Xaa at position 75 is Ala, Ser, Val or Thr; Xaa at position 76 is Lys or Arg; Xaa at position 89 is Glu or Asp; and Xaa at position 107 is Leu or Thr.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 47, and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO.
 48. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 49 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 50. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises two light chains (LC) and two heavy chains (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of each LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 49 and the amino acid sequence of each HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 50. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation is Alzheimer's disease.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation is selected from a group consisting of clinical or pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the disease characterized by formation of amyloid plaques and aberrant tau aggregation is selected from prodromal Alzheimer's disease, mild Alzheimer's disease, moderate Alzheimer's disease or severe Alzheimer's disease.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody and the anti-Tau antibody are administered simultaneously.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody is administered prior to the administration of the anti-Tau antibody.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising an anti-Aβ antibody, with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients, in combination with a pharmaceutical composition of anti-Tau antibody, with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients, wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the LCVR comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and the HCVR comprises CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 69, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 70, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 71, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 72, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 73, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO.
 75. 15. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14 wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 75 and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO.
 76. 16. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14 wherein the anti-Tau antibody comprises a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 67 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 68. 17. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the LCVR comprises complementarity determining regions (CDRs) LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and the HCVR comprises CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein the amino acid sequence of LCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 39, the amino acid sequence of LCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 40, the amino acid sequence of LCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO. 44, the amino acid sequence of HCDR1 is given by SEQ ID NO. 42, the amino acid sequence of HCDR2 is given by SEQ ID NO. 43, and the amino acid sequence of HCDR3 is given by SEQ ID NO.
 44. 18. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 45, wherein Xaa at position 2 is Vle or Ile; Xaa at position 7 is Ser or Thr; Xaa at position 14 is Thr or Ser; Xaa at position 15 is Leu or Pro; Xaa at position 30 is Ile or Val; Xaa at position 50 is Arg, Gln, or Lys; Xaa at position 88 is Val or Leu; Xaa at position 105 is Gln or Gly; Xaa at position 108 is Lys or Arg; and Xaa at position 109 is Val or Leu; and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 46, wherein Xaa at position 1 is Glu or Gln; Xaa at position 7 is Ser or Leu; Xaa at position 46 is Glu, Val, Asp, or Ser; Xaa at position 63 is Thr or Ser; Xaa at position 75 is Ala, Ser, Val or Thr; Xaa at position 76 is Lys or Arg; Xaa at position 89 is Glu or Asp; and Xaa at position 107 is Leu or Thr.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain variable region (LCVR) and a heavy chain variable region (HCVR), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LCVR is given by SEQ ID NO. 47, and the amino acid sequence of the HCVR is given by SEQ ID NO.
 48. 20. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 48, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of the LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 49 and the amino acid sequence of the HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 50. 21. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 48, wherein the anti-Aβ antibody comprises two light chains (LC) and two heavy chains (HC), wherein the amino acid sequence of each LC is given by SEQ ID NO. 49 and the amino acid sequence of each HC is given by SEQ ID NO.
 50. 